Can an osteopath help with headaches?

Yes, osteopaths can help relieve tension-type and cervicogenic headaches by improving posture, reducing muscle tension, and releasing restrictions in the neck and upper back. They also consider lifestyle factors like stress, hydration, and sleep quality.

What causes tension-type headaches?

Common causes include poor posture, neck tension, jaw dysfunction, dehydration, stress, and fatigue. These factors increase strain on head and neck muscles, leading to tension-type headaches.

Why am I suddenly getting headaches every day?

Daily headaches may be triggered by increased stress, poor posture, jaw tension, dehydration, or screen use. An osteopath can assess physical causes and help relieve contributing tension.

Is osteopathy better than physiotherapy for headaches?

Both osteopathy and physiotherapy can help with headaches. Osteopathy typically takes a holistic approach, addressing posture, cranial tension, and musculoskeletal imbalances, while physiotherapy focuses more on exercise-based rehabilitation.

Should I see an osteopath or chiropractor for headaches?

Osteopaths generally use a gentler, whole-body approach that includes muscle release, joint articulation, cranial techniques, and lifestyle advice. Chiropractors often focus more specifically on spinal adjustments. The choice depends on personal preference and needs.

What massage point helps with headaches?

Osteopaths often target the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull, which are commonly tight in people with tension-type headaches. Releasing this area can significantly reduce headache symptoms.

How do you release a tension knot in the head or neck?

Osteopaths use soft tissue massage, myofascial release, muscle energy techniques, and joint mobilisations to relieve tension knots effectively and safely.

Is dehydration a cause of headaches?

Yes, dehydration reduces the fluid balance in the body and can cause the brain to contract slightly away from the skull, triggering a headache. Staying hydrated helps prevent this.

Can nutrition help prevent headaches?

Yes, maintaining hydration, eating anti-inflammatory foods, reducing sugar and caffeine, and avoiding known food triggers can reduce the frequency of headaches.

Does cranial osteopathy help with headaches?

Cranial osteopathy is particularly effective for headaches due to its gentle approach to releasing tension in the skull, neck, and spine, supporting the nervous system’s ability to self-regulate.

What is the best natural way to cure headaches?

Addressing the root cause—whether it’s tension, poor posture, stress, dehydration, or diet—is the most effective natural method. Osteopathy, combined with relaxation techniques, hydration, movement, and nutrition, provides long-term relief.

What if a headache lasts for more than 3 days?

If a headache persists beyond 3 days, is severe, or includes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, numbness, or vision changes, you should contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately to rule out serious conditions.

When should I call 111 or see a GP for a headache?

Call 111 or see a GP if your headache gets worse, doesn't improve with painkillers, is accompanied by fever, jaw pain, blurred vision, numbness, or weakness. These could indicate a more serious medical issue.

Osteopathy for Headaches

OsteopathyCranial Osteopathy

6 Apr

Written By Matthew Glithero

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Osteopathy for Headaches

Did you know there are over 150 different types of headaches? Among the most common are tension-type headaches, dehydration headaches, and migraines. At Wellthy Clinic, we offer a holistic, hands-on approach to treating headaches and migraines with osteopathy. Whether you’re searching for an osteopath for migraines or want to explore osteopathy for headaches, this guide explains what you need to know.

Tension-Type Headaches

Tension-type headaches are described as mild to moderate and felt on both sides of your head. The headache is usually dull or squeezing in nature and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days. There are two categories: Episodic headaches, which occur less than 15 times per month. Also, chronic, which happens more than 15 times a month for more than 3 months in a row. Typically, you will experience pains on both sides of the head, which feel like pressure behind the eyes and tension in the neck and shoulders. Moreover, you will not experience nausea, vomiting, or visual changes, and your headache is not usually affected by everyday daily routines.

How is a Tension Type Headache Diagnosed?

Tension-type headaches are diagnosed through the patient’s symptoms. Physical examination of the neck and scalp muscles, where tenderness may occur, may increase headache symptoms.

Causes of Tension-Type Headaches

There are many different causes of tension-type headaches, which cause additional strain on the head and neck muscles. Stress and anxiety can contribute by elevating your shoulders over long periods, affecting your cranial osteopath for back pain and neck posture. In addition, teeth and what could be causing your jaw pain will contribute to Cranial Osteopathy for TMJ and tension-type headaches.

Headache Diagnosis At Wellthy

We will take a full case history. We will then examine your posture and movements and assess how well your joints and muscles move passively. After gathering all this information, we will explain what is happening in understandable language.

Treatment for Headaches

This is a hands-on treatment aimed at reducing tension in your head and neck. The osteopath will address the whole posture to move other areas freely (typically the upper back) to relieve pressure on your head and neck. Moreover, Osteopaths use a combination of muscular stretching, joint articulations, and joint manipulations (only when appropriate) techniques to increase movement functionality and reduce pain.

We also offer Cranial Osteopathy, which is fantastic for headaches, given the gentle nature of the treatment. Additionally, relaxation techniques, muscular stretching and strengthening exercises, and heat therapy will be explained, and you will be encouraged to try them at home. In addition to lifestyle, basic nutrition, and hydration advice to help reduce the frequency and severity of your tension-type headaches.

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GP Medication

GPs prescribe aspirin, paracetamol, or NSAIDs for the acute treatment of tension-type headaches. Your GP will consider the person’s preference, comorbidities, and risk of adverse events (NICE 2012).

Relaxation techniques

Stress and anxiety can contribute towards tension-type headaches. Taking time out of your busy day to concentrate on deep breathing or meditation effectively reduces tension.

Dehydration Headaches

A dehydration headache is caused by not having enough fluid in your body. You require a balance of fluid and electrolytes to function correctly. Your body loses water every day through daily activities, exercise through sweat and urination. Therefore, balancing fluid intake through drinking or eating fluid-rich foods to maintain proper hydration is vital. If your body becomes dehydrated, this can lead to complications and dehydration headaches. You are more likely to become dehydrated if you have exercised to the point of extreme sweating, experienced diarrhoea, fever or vomiting and urinated excessively. Dehydration headaches will cause the brain to temporarily contract and pull away from the skull, which causes pain.

What Does a Dehydration Headache Feel Like?

Dehydration headaches can feel dull and mild in nature or intense and severe. The headache can occur at the front, back, sides or all over the head. Unlike a tension-type headache, you are unlikely to feel the tension at the back of the neck. You may also feel thirsty, have a dry mouth and urinate less often. Moreover, have dark coloured urine, feel confused, dizzy and fatigued. In addition, you may have dry skin, low blood pressure and an increased heart rate. If the dehydration headache is severe, you may also experience a lack of sweating, fever or even become unconscious.

Rehydration

To help improve dehydration headaches and rehydrate, it is suggested that you increase your water or rehydration mix intake, reduce activity, and rest. However, for more severe dehydration headaches after diarrhoea and vomiting, this may not be enough. In this case, seek medical care to avoid kidney damage, seizures, or shock. Emergency medical professionals can manage severe dehydration with intravenous fluid and salt replacement.

Nutrition for headaches

Good nutrition, reducing food triggers, staying hydrated, and avoiding certain foods can reduce stress and anxiety. You should also try to improve your sleep hygiene, including increasing your hours of sleep per night, participating in regular physical activity, and reducing screen time. Speak to our musculoskeletal health specialist to find out how to optimise your healing times.

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Osteopath for Migraines

A migraine is a severe, recurring, one-sided, painful headache. It is normally pulsating and can last 4-72 hours. There are several different types of migraine, with or without aura: menstrual, chronic, hemiplegic, abdominal, vestibular, and visual.

Migraines signs

In addition to a headache, you may also experience nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound. Your symptoms may worsen with daily tasks such as walking.

Migraines Causes

Migraine causes remain unknown, but it is suggested that migraines occur as a result of abnormal brain activity. This activity affects the brain’s chemicals, blood vessels, and communication between the nerves. Multiple triggers are associated with migraines, including hormonal changes, stress and a negative mental state, postural tensions, tiredness, food, alcohol, and dehydration.

How are Migraines Diagnosed?

If you are suffering from migraines, it is suggested that you seek advice from your GP. They will perform a range of tests to exclude any other cause of headaches, including blood tests, blood pressure, eye exams, and scans.

Treatment Options

Currently, there is not one single cure for migraines. Therefore, the main aim of treatment is to reduce the frequency of migraines and control the symptoms. There are many different types of treatment for migraine, including:

Medication

Seek advice from your GP and if you choose to take medication, there are several different options ranging from paracetamol, triptans and anti-nausea medications.

What Do Osteopaths Do

Osteopaths use a combination of muscular stretching, joint articulations and joint manipulation (only when appropriate) techniques to increase movement functionality and reduce pain. You will be advised how to self-manage your tensions through self-relaxation techniques and using heat packs on your upper back. Muscular stretching and strengthening exercises will also be given for you to perform at home. Furthermore, lifestyle and basic nutrition and hydration advice to reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines.

What if a headache lasts for 3 days?

If your headache lasts for more than three days, keeps on coming back, painkillers do not help, it feels like it is getting worse, or you have a bad throbbing pain at the front or side of your head, this could be a migraine or a cluster headache. If you feel sick, vomit, and find light or noise painful, then phone 111 or contact your GP.

Likewise, if your arms or legs feel numb or weak, your jaw hurts when eating, you have blurred or double vision, and you have a sore scalp, these could be signs that the arteries in your head and neck are inflamed. So contact 111 to describe your symptoms, and they will tell you what to do.

Why Choose Wellthy Clinic?

At Wellthy Clinic, we specialise in a holistic, whole-body approach to health. Our team combines osteopathy, cranial therapy, nutrition, and movement expertise to offer personalised care for those suffering from headaches and migraines. Whether you’re looking for an experienced osteopath for migraines or want to explore osteopathy for headaches as part of a long-term solution, we take the time to understand your unique story and tailor treatment to your needs. Our central London clinic provides a calm, supportive space where healing goes beyond symptom relief, helping you feel well.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can an osteopath help headaches? Yes, osteopaths can help relieve tension-type and cervicogenic headaches by improving posture, reducing muscle tension, and releasing neck and upper back restrictions. They also consider lifestyle and stress factors that may contribute to headaches.

Can osteopaths do anything for headaches? Osteopaths use gentle manual techniques to release tension, improve blood flow, and support the nervous system, which can significantly ease certain headaches.

What conditions does an osteopath treat? Osteopaths treat musculoskeletal pain, headaches, jaw dysfunction (TMJ), postural issues, and stress-related tension, among others.

Should I see an osteopath or chiropractor? An osteopath might be a better fit if you prefer a holistic and often gentler approach that includes lifestyle advice and cranial techniques.

Is osteopathy better than physio for headaches? Osteopathy and physiotherapy can help; osteopathy tends to focus more on whole-body connections and cranial techniques, while physio may emphasise rehabilitation and targeted exercises.

Can an osteopath help with migraines? While osteopaths don’t treat the root neurological cause of migraines, they can reduce musculoskeletal triggers and improve overall resilience to migraine episodes.

What massage point is best for headaches? Osteopaths often release tension in the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull, which are commonly involved in tension headaches.

What is the best way to cure headaches? The most effective long-term approach is to identify and address the root cause, which could be muscular tension, poor posture, stress, or lifestyle. Osteopathy supports this by relieving physical strain and improving alignment.

Why am I getting headaches every day all of a sudden? Daily headaches can be triggered by tension, stress, screen use, poor posture, or jaw clenching; an osteopath can assess and treat physical contributors.

What is the best self-help for tension headaches? Regular movement, neck stretches, hydration, and managing stress are helpful; osteopaths can show you personalised strategies to maintain these at home.

Can fascia cause headaches? Yes, restrictions in the fascial system can contribute to headaches, especially around the neck and scalp; osteopaths often release these through gentle, hands-on techniques.

How do you release a tension knot? Osteopaths use soft tissue release, muscle energy techniques, and myofascial release to ease knots safely and effectively.

References

Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, Fei Y, Mehring M, Shin BC, Vickers A, White AR. Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 4. Available at: https://papas.cochrane.org/our-reviews/reviews-topic/headache-and-migraine

NICE National Institute of Health and Care Excellance Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management Clinical guideline [CG150] Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg150/chapter/Recommendations#diagnosis

NHS Headaches (2020) available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/headaches/