For a lot of people, pain from migraines can be uncomfortable and for others, so severe that it makes life debilitating for many.
Osteopathic migraine treatment is a hands-on and non-invasive approach that helps reduce migraine frequency and intensity. This treatment addresses musculoskeletal tension, as well as improving blood flow.
Osteopaths will use techniques like joint mobilization, soft tissue massage and cranial techniques that help to treat the things that often trigger headaches.
How Osteopathic Treatment Works
An osteopath migraine treatment focuses on the body’s structure that helps to improve function and self-enhancement, providing what can be an alternative to traditional pain medication.
Some of the ways osteopathic treatment works include the following:
Releasing muscle tension
Osteopaths will target tight muscles in the jaw, neck and shoulders that will often accompany or trigger migraines.
Improving circulation
Techniques are used to help aim to improve blood flow to both the head and neck. Alleviating that vascular tension is essential to help alleviate migraine pain.
Joint mobilization
Some techniques are used to help gently move joints in the spine and neck. This helps to increase the range of motion and relieve nerve irritation, too.
Cranial osteopathy
Specialized gentle pressure is applied by the osteopath to the skull and helps improve cerebrospinal fluid circulation. It also helps to reduce pressure in the head, which leads to migraines.
Common Osteopathic Techniques
Typical osteopathic techniques all help to contribute to effective migraine pain relief. These include:
1. Myofascial release
Gentle, sustained pressure is applied to restrictions within the fascia, which is connective tissue. It’s a type of pressure that helps in reducing pain.
2. Soft tissue massage
A soft tissue massage is always a nice treatment to receive and is therefore a helpful massage given by an osteopath. It targets muscles in the head, neck and shoulder area in order to relieve tension and spasms too.
3. Trigger point therapy
Direct and focused pressure on specific muscle areas will often be effective where pain is occurring in this area specifically.
4. Joint manipulation
High-velocity and low-amplitude techniques may be used to improve joint function, as well as reduce tension.
Benefits for Migraine Sufferers
For migraine sufferers, there are some great benefits to pursuing osteopathic migraine treatments. Research and clinical experience indicate several benefits for those who are suffering from this pain.
Regular treatments are a great way of helping to reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of migraines too. You’ve also got relief from chronic headaches without the side effects that come from taking medication to rid yourself of the pain.
As well as all of the above, it also helps to improve posture. Addressing postural issues contributes to both neck tension and headaches. The use of these treatments also enhances your well-being, encouraging relaxation and helping manage both the physical and mental stress of chronic pain.
Osteopath migraine treatment is something to explore, especially where you’ve exhausted other alternatives that may not have worked for you or have not been as effective as you liked
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