Headaches Treatment & Prevention – Part 3

Having looked at how to describe and classify headaches & migraines in my introduction, I then moved on to look at how massage can help sufferers in part 1. Then in part 2 I looked at how nutrition and Bowen technique could help.  I want to continue to explore the impact of complementary therapies on headaches.

Cranio-Sacral Therapy

Cranio-sacral therapy is a system of alternative medicine intended to relieve pain and tension by gentle manipulations of the skull regarded as harmonizing with a natural rhythm in the central nervous system.

Cranio-sacral therapists suspect the occipito-atlanteal junction at the top of the neck may contribute to the cause of headaches especially migraines.  If the first vertebrae and the occipital condyles at the base of the skull become jammed together or fixed, which effects the vagus nerves, throwing the parasympathetic nervous system into dysfunction.  Cranio-sacral therapists report releasing the occipital condyles nearly always results in the reduction of migraines patterns in clients.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine in which fine needles are inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes.  There is some scientific evidence acupuncture has a beneficial effect on headaches and migraines (see >> http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Acupuncture/Pages/Evidence.aspx)

Related Posts

  • Natural ways to reduce anxiety – Part 4

    Following on from my last post on calm breathing, I want to introduce you to calming counting.  The advantage of this technique over calm breathing is that it helps you stop focusing on worried thoughts! Calming Counting

    1. Sit comfortably.
    2. Take a long, deep breath and exhale it slowly while saying the word "relax" silently.
    3. Close your eyes.
    4. Let yourself take ten natural, easy breaths. Count down with each exhale, starting with "ten."
    5. This time, while you are breathing comfortably, notice any tensions, perhaps in your jaw or forehead or stomach. Imagine those tensions loosening.
    6. When you reach "one," open your eyes again.
    As claming counts takes about 90 seconds this is precious time that your body gets to relax and quieten your mind. It is perfectly possible to do this on your commute, as long as you don't drive or at your desk or even in the loo!  

  • Running & Running Injuries

    In the UK around 10.5 million people run or jog as a leisure activity and or fitness activity.  Running injuries are common and may variables can contribute.  Running injuries can happen to both experienced and inexperienced runners - up to 79% of runners with get injured in any one year. Most running injuries occur in the lower extremities as you would expect.  With the knee being the most common injured site followed by the lower leg, foot and upper leg.  The top five injuries are:

    1. Patellofemoral pain - generic term for describe pain at the front and around the knee cap.
    2. Illiotibial band (ITB) syndrome - pain on the outside of the knee.
    3. Tibial stress fractures/syndrome - fatigue induced stress fracture.
    4. Plantar fasciitis - pain in the heel or bottom of the foot.
    5. Achilles tendonitis - pain, swelling and stiffness of the achilles tendon.
    All the above injuries apart from stress fractures can be treated with sports massage. The high rate of injury among runners is a cause for concern so in future posts I will look at the common causes we see in clinic and discuss how to prevent injuries. Reference Sports Marketing Surverys Inc (2014) UK's running population reaches a remarkable 10.5m says Sports Marking Surverys Inc. A Altman, IS Davis (2012) Barefoot running: biomechanics and implications for running injuries.  Current Sports Medicine Reports 11(5):244-50 JE Taunton, MB Ryan, DB Clement, DC McKenzie et al (2002) A retrospective case-control analysis of 2002 running injuries.  British Journal of Sports Medicine 36(2):95-101

  • An alternative way to do simple mindfulness (Part 2)

    Following on from part 1, I want to introduce you to more ways to do simple mindfulness. 1. Tuning into sounds The hum of a gan, tickeing of a cloack, the round of rain on the window, voices outside the room.  Realing tuning in ot hte volume, pitch and noticing if there's a rthythmic quality to the sound. 2. Experimenting with taste Using a small pleasant tasting boiled sweet, chocolate melting int he mouth or taking a few sips of water.  Noticing the flavour, physical sensations and returning the attention when it wanders. 3. Smell Simply light a scented candle where your like the smell or inhale the sent of your favourite essential oil by placing a drop on a tissue. 4. Hold an object in your hands A pebble, wooden bead pen, cup etc any everyday object.  Focus your attention in to notice the temperature, the texture (roughness/smoothness), the shape and how it feels.  Experiment with your eyes start with open and then notice the difference if you close your eyes. Remember mindfulness is about training the mind, so you don't need to use breath as your anchor be creative, be kind to yourself and start simple with 30 seconds and build up the time slowly and gradually - its a practice not a race!