One of the most common conditions that bring people into the Thrive Health Co. clinic are headaches.
Did you know, there are 13 recognised types of headaches with over 300 subtypes, each classified by their underlying cause and symptoms. Classifying a headache can be difficult; treating it doesn’t have to be. (International Headache Society).
If your headache begins as tightness or pain in the shoulders and base of the skull, radiating into the forehead, eye, or temple, Myotherapy can help.
Myotherapy utilises manual therapy techniques that aim to desensitise the painful muscle, joint or nerve tissues that cause your headache.
Before the headache can be treated, we first identify the origin of the pain. This is achieved through thorough examination to narrow down the simple or complex involvement of the muscles, joints and nerves that are causing you pain.
Once the pain contributors have been identified, treatment can be targeted to reduce your pain. This may include;
- Joint mobilisation
- This improves joint mechanics to aid in reducing upper cervical joint referral to the base and top of the skull, and reduce muscle guarding/spasms.
- Electrotherapeutic dry needling
- Dry needling can reduce muscle hypertonicity (tightness), and inhibit pain at the spinal level. (Find out more about needling here)
- Neural manipulation
- This will increase nerve blood supply and desensitise local structures.
- Exercise Therapy
- Specific strengthening can decrease the severity of headaches.
- Cupping and specific manual muscle release –
- This can improve muscle tone and flexibility. (Find out more about cupping here)
For individualised treatment aimed at reducing the severity and occurrence of your headaches, book in today for a Myotherapy consult.
Written by Jane Walters
MYOTHERAPIST
Jane holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Musculoskeletal Therapy) and is currently studying a Master of Science in Medicine (Pain Management) as well as studying Chiropractic to further her interest in chronic pain.
