Table of Contents
HEADACHE SPECIALIST:
At the Hatfield Practice we often come across different types of headache pain. It is suggested that over 80% of us will endure aggressive headaches over our lifetimes. A tension headache often presents as a dull, non-throbbing head pain, often on both sides of the head. Migraines are more severe and pain can increase upon movement. Other types of headaches include sinus where the pain is usually located behind the browbone and/or cheekbones whereas a cluster headache consists of the pain is in and around the eye. Steps are in place to help treat headaches and severe migraines to battle and prevent for the long term.
How we fight headaches through treatment:
- Education may be a key factor for preventing painful migraines and headaches, learning the best way of utilising modalities such as ice and relaxation. Treatment can often include advice regarding work desk ergonomics, posture correction and relaxation methods to help with stress management which can have a large effect on the frequency of headaches. We strongly believe patient education is a better form of preventative care rather than over-reliance of pain medication.
- Exercises are designed to stretch and strengthen muscles of the neck and upper back in an attempt to prevent excessive tension and further pain. The exercises will be created to suit and easily slot into your daily lifestyle.
- Hands on treatment deep soft tissue massage is used to manipulate of the neck and upper spine joints. Osteopathy is directly applied to pressure points directly connected to improving circulation and reducing tissue tension. Acupuncture uses stimulation of certain acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress. Physiotherapy uses a variety of massage and exercises to treat while preventing for the future.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR HEADACHES
Fine needles are used to target specific points that are linked with headaches. The acupuncture pins provide pain relief by stimulating nerves located in tissue. Acupuncture releases endorphin’s and other factors that changes the processing of pain in the brain and spinal chord. Further to this it also helps blood flow and reducing inflammation. Read more about Acupuncture at the Hatfield Practice.
SELF-HELP FROM THE HATFIELD PRACTICE:
- Get 8-9 hours of sleep at night
- Do some physical activity at least 30 minutes per day five days a week
- Consider biofeedback or meditation
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Avoid triggers that may include beer, wine, pickled foods, MSG, chocolate, smoked meats and cheeses, loud noises, and bright light.
- Ask for advice to try and understand why these headaches occur by calling our Practice team
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If you require any advice on treatment, prices or general information please call the Hatfield Practice team, who will be delighted to help to you today