osteopathy Bath, Bradford on Avon, Bristol, Wiltshire and Somerset

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Osteopathy & Diagnosing Headache

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As osteopaths, we are trained to treat the whole body, not just painful backs. Headaches are caused either by a problem inside of the head (intra-cranial) or referred from a structure outside of the head (extra-cranial) Intra-cranial headaches are caused by a structure in the head or scalp becoming enlarged, swollen, inflamed, tightened, stretched or squashed. Migraine headaches, for example, are due to the blood vessels enlarging and then hurting when they contract again. The head pain of meningitis is from the tightening of the membranes that line the skull and spinal canal.

In contrast, extra-cranial headaches are caused by problems with sinuses, neck joints, jaw, teeth, ears or eyes. Wear and tear (spondylitis) in the small joints of the neck often causes tension in the muscles around the base of the skull. Many tension headaches are due to prolonged stress tightening the muscles of the neck and shoulders. Similarly, long hours working at a computer can tighten the structures of the head, neck and shoulders, combined with eye strain this can cause throbbing 'band-like' headaches.

One of the most worrying things for patients with headaches is that their pain might be due to a brain tumour. For this reason, one of the first tasks of the osteopath is to make an assessment, deciding which structure is causing the pain and whether it is something we can help with or whether we need to to refer the patient back to their GP, optician or dentist. Usually, after taking a full case history and examining the affected area we can be quite reassuring about the cause of the problem.

The membranes containing the brain and spinal cord form a continuous tube from the head to the back of the pelvis at the base of the spine. Being very sensitive to pain they can cause headaches, especially if they become too tight. This tightening of the membranes can be caused by infection, one of the most serious being meningitis, but also by dehydration from fevers, sunstroke or hangovers. They can be tightened by scarring after spinal surgery in the low back or neck, or by the needle passing through them during an epidural. During a car accident, the 'whiplash' effect of the head being thrown forwards and backwards puts traction on these membranes which can then cause headaches even months after the actual impact.

Surprisingly, if the joints in the very low back get 'locked up' for any reason, the dural membranes can get anchored at the lower end of the tube, causing a pull and resultant headache right at the opposite end. The osteopathic treatment of these dural membranes can be done very gently because usually, once they start moving again, the body naturally causes them to rehydrate and soften. We achieve this movement with gentle hand or finger pressure over specific areas of the skull, neck or low back.

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If you require any further information or wish to discuss any problems you may have, please contact the Church Street Practice on 01225 868282, or book in for a free 15 minute consultation.