Headaches are extremely common - most people get them at some time. People are often afraid that a headache is a sign of something serious or sinister going on, however, this is frequently not the case.

Serious causes of headache such as tumours, blood haemorrhage or infection (such as meningitis) are often accompanied by other symptoms, many of which are 'classical signs' of a particular disease or problem. Osteopaths, being primary healthcare professionals, are trained to differentially diagnose different types of headache, and to refer onto GP's or other specialist consultants where the cause of a headache is considered in need of further investigation and / or medical treatment.

Much more common causes of headaches are tension and emotional stress; poor working position - such as where your computer screen is; neck restriction and strain (e.g. from poor posture, or from injury such as whiplash); dental problems such as teeth grinding, malocclusion or other bite problems; sinus problems; dietary factors such as chocolate for migraine, for example. Poor movement of the rest of your spine or pelvis can also cause the neck to move awkwardly, hence straining the junction between the neck and the head.

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Any or all of these problems can lead to muscular tension in the scalp, poor circulation in the head and scalp, tension in the jaw and parts of the face, irritation of the nerves of the head and scalp, and referred pain from the sinuses and other membranes in the head for example. Hence the 'simple' causes for headache are many and varied.

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A common presentation with headache is an increase in the muscular tension at the base of the skull with pain locally and possibly referred to the forehead and eye area. The tightened muscles and joint restrictions (from poor posture, stress, injury etc.) in the upper neck, contribute to reduced mobility, and irritation of the local nerves and blood vessels.

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The osteopaths will examine you all over, and consider what contributory factors you have, and form a treatment and management plan to reduce or eliminate as many as these as possible. Osteopaths can also suggest you seek nutritional or dental advice for certain aspects of your problem if these are relevant. Treatment is often to the face, jaw, and rest of the head (using gentle, subtle movements, as mobility between the bones of the skull is very small). Treatment is also given to the neck, back and pelvis where required, and may involve manipulation (where advisable), soft tissue stretching and massage, and often an exercise routine to keep tension from re-building.

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