by Lene Swartz, Hove Osteopath
A few weeks ago, a woman in her late 40s visited our clinic seeking relief from debilitating headaches. She had been experiencing these episodes 2-3 times a month, with each lasting about two full days. The impact on her daily life was significant, prompting her to finally seek help.
Her journey with headaches started 25 years ago when she was diagnosed with migraines. At the time, she was prescribed medication to take during an episode. Unfortunately, she found the medication ineffective and unhelpful, so she opted to manage her symptoms without pharmaceuticals.
Over the years, her migraines became more frequent and intense. The lack of effective treatment and worsening symptoms eventually led her to consider alternative options, which brought her to our osteopathy clinic.
Osteopathy takes a holistic approach to health, focusing on the whole body to address underlying issues that could be contributing to symptoms like headaches. While every case is unique, our goal is to identify and address the root causes of the pain, offering personalised care to help patients regain control of their well-being.
How Osteopathy Can Support Migraine Management
Did you know that migraines are the leading cause of lost healthy years for women of childbearing age, according to the Global Burden of Disease study (Steiner et al., 2020)? This statistic highlights just how much of an impact migraines can have on daily life and overall well-being.
The main symptoms of migraines typically include:
- Moderate to severe headache (often on one side of the head).
- Pulsating pain lasting up to 72 hours.
- Symptoms that are worsened by physical activity.
- Additional issues like sensitivity to light and noise, as well as nausea.
- Sound familiar? If so, osteopathy might be able to help.
While osteopaths, like other healthcare professionals, cannot cure migraines, osteopathic treatment can support you in managing them. Osteopathy focuses on relieving symptoms, identifying potential triggers, and helping to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine episodes.
A Patient’s Perspective on Osteopathy for Migraines
To give you an idea of how osteopathy might help, let’s share the story of a recent patient who sought treatment for debilitating migraines. Their journey highlights how osteopathy can address both the symptoms and underlying factors contributing to chronic headaches.
“My migraines are personally associated with menstruation and stress, and they can be debilitating—lasting days, causing me to miss work, leaving me unable to function, and even resulting in vomiting. I initially attended the osteopathy clinic to explore anything that might help with prevention or reduction of my migraines.
I was asked inclusive and detailed questions, and it was established that I suffer from migraines without aura. It was also identified that menstruation, stress, and lack of sleep were some of my main triggers. This was discussed with me in depth to ensure I fully understood, as I wasn’t aware of the different types of migraines before.
Since starting treatment with Lene, I’ve made some recommended changes to help reduce my triggers. Additionally, the treatment Lene has provided has had a significant impact. While I still experienced a migraine just before my period last month, it was manageable—nowhere near the intensity of my usual monthly migraines, which would typically leave me completely non-functional.
This time, I wasn’t physically sick from the pressure in my head, didn’t feel like someone was trying to remove my eye from its socket, and didn’t wish for a vice to ease the pain. I can honestly say Lene’s treatment has been a lifeline for me. While I still needed to rest during my most recent migraine, it was, without doubt, the least severe I’ve ever experienced.
I will always be grateful for the treatment I’ve received and will continue this care as an essential part of my preventative self-care.”
Lene is available at Natural Balance Therapies in Hove on Wednesdays and Saturdays, offering Osteopathy and Sports Massage.
To check her availability and book online, click here.