Category: Sinus Headaches

Headache and Migraine Treatment in Wellington plus Recovery Tips

2/27/2022

A headache can take over your life. It can be very difficult to think and hard to function.

At City Osteopaths Healthcare, we have been treating people with headaches and migraine for over 25 years and have helped thousands of Wellingtonians out of pain and on the path back to better health.

We have had patients with a constant severe headache for two years, have it resolved fully to a pain free status, with one gentle treatment.

There are many ways skilled hands-on treatment can help with many types of headaches and migraines. First we take a medical history, and then perform the appropriate neurological, physical and osteopathic examination. Each assessment and treatment is carefully optimised for your needs.

We are able to use a wide range of approaches including manipulation of the appropriate joints with Muscle Energy Technique, Functional, Fascial, Counterstrain, Cranial and Biodynamic Osteopathy. You can have a ‘click’ or choose to have more gentle treatment approaches. It is your choice.

By freeing up tight muscles, easing stiff joints and assisting optimal nerve and blood supply to the head and brain, it helps your body recover. We also provide posture, exercises and home care advice as appropriate.

If you would like to talk with one of our practitioners, please call 044991439 and one of us will call you back as soon as we are able. For quickest results, book in via our front desk team on 044991439 or go through our website booking online.

In the meantime, you could try the following:

1) Drink a big glass of water - you may not be aware you are dehydrated and dehydration has been shown to contribute to headaches.
2) Have a rest, close your eyes and do some slow deep breathing. See if you can make your out breath longer than your in breath. Relaxation helps contribute to change in your nervous system to normalise the blood supply. Lie down if possible and have a nap.
3) Make sure you have eaten something recently. Low blood sugar can contribute to the onset of some headaches including migraines. Too much sugar can contribute to headaches when your blood sugar drops again. It is better to eat nutritious food to help keep your blood sugar balanced.
4) Try a heat pack or a cold pack on your neck. This can help with reducing muscle spasm.
5) Do a gentle yoga class or go for a walk. Gentle exercise and a bit of fresh air can be very soothing and help your recovery.

We look forward to helping you!

Dr Melanie Young
B.A., BSc.(Clin Sc.) B.Osteo Sc. MONZ
Reg Osteopath
Director City Osteopaths
Wellington
New Zealand

Phone 04 4991439

http://www.cityosteopaths.co.nz

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Osteopathy for Sinuses

4/1/2020

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Did you know that osteopaths can offer relief for sinus pain?

Patients often present for osteopathy treatment who experience sinus congestion, face discomfort, nasal sensitivity, headaches, post-nasal drip or are prone to chronic sinus infections. When treating patients with sinus conditions, as osteopaths we must consider the function of the sinuses and what role they play in relation to the rest of the body.

Sinuses are hollow cavities in our skull. There are 4 paranasal sinuses which drain directly into the nasal cavity. The paranasal sinuses have been highlighted in the image below.

Frontal sinus
Ethmoid sinus
Sphenoid sinus
Maxillary sinus

There is a lot that osteopaths can do to help sinus conditions regardless of how long you have been experiencing the symptoms for! After treatment patients often report feeling lighter, less congested through the face and able to breathe better.

Osteopathic treatment for sinuses addresses the whole respiratory system. An osteopathic treatment will aim to:

Improve the functional drainage from the paranasal sinuses to the nasal cavity
Address imbalances through the face, neck, chest and thorax
Facilitate good breathing mechanics

Normal function of the cranial bones allows the paranasal sinuses to drain freely into the nasal cavity. When the sinuses are blocked by inflammation, a mass or excess fluids, drainage of mucous can be interrupted. Stagnant mucosal fluids can become a hotbed for infection which can contribute to symptoms of pain, discomfort, breathing difficulties and even diminished hearing!

Osteopaths are trained to diagnose and treat imbalances and restrictions throughout the head, neck and chest that may be contributing to sinus symptoms. Techniques often include a range of gentle hands on osteopathic techniques and will vary for each individual presentation.

Research has shown that there is great variation in the nasal cavity and sinus pathways between individuals. Due to natural anatomical variation some of us are more prone to sinus conditions than others. Anatomical variations can influence how out sinuses drain whether it is due to narrow nasal pathways or a mechanical restriction between two or more bones. Factors contributing to disrupted drainage pathways may be congenital (since birth) or traumatic (such as a neck or head injury).

An osteopathic treatment will diagnose your unique condition and look to address the underlying anatomical cause.

Sinus infection is most often viral rather than bacterial. Symptoms of a viral sinus infection do not require antibiotics and can ease on their own. Alongside osteopathic treatment, there are a few things you can do at home to help:

Rest and slowing down
Drinking plenty of fluids
Elevating your head with an extra pillow when lying down
Steam
Humming
Irrigation techniques (neti pot)

Indications for a bacterial sinus infection include fever, tenderness of the face and changes in the colour of mucosa.

Whether it's a long term thing, or fluctuating seasonal symptoms, osteopathy can help relieve your sinus symptoms by addressing the underlying cause contributing to your unique condition.

Bibliography

Cappello, Z. and Dublin, A. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): January 2020. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nose Paranasal Sinuses
Lafci Fahrioglu S, Andaloro C. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Nov 14, 2018. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Sinus Function and Development.
Gach P, Tuchtan-Torrents L, Delteil C, Adalian P, Piercecchi MD, Ebert LC, Gorincour G. Virtual reconstruction of paranasal sinuses from CT data: A feasibility study for forensic application. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2019 Mar;100(3):163-168.
Mahmood HT, Shaikh A, Fida M. Reliability and validity of maxillary and sphenoid Sinus morphological variations in the assessment of Skeletal maturity. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2018 Jul-Sep;30(3):360-365.
Villarreal R, Wrobel BB, Macias-Valle LF, Davis GE, Prihoda TJ, Luong AU, McMains KC, Weitzel EK, Yao WC, Brunworth J, Clark DW, Nair S, Valdés CJ, Halderman A, Jang DW, Sivasubramaniam R, Zhang Z, Chen PG. International assessment of inter- and intrarater reliability of the International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification system. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019 Jan;9(1):39-45
Weitzberg E, Lundberg J. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine; 2002. Humming Greatly Increases Nasal Nitric Oxide. Vol 166(2), pp.144-145

Author

Rosie Wilson
B.Hlth.Sc., B.App.Sc. (Osteo), Reg Osteopath, MONZ
City Osteopaths
Wellington
New Zealand

To find out more about Rosie and her approach to osteopathic treatment, Click Here

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Headache and Migraine Treatment in Wellington plus Recovery Tips

Osteopathy for Sinuses

Author

City Osteopaths

Categories

Archives

For Wellington's Premier Health Clinic,
Call (04) 499 1439 to Make an Appointment

Headache and Migraine Treatment in Wellington plus Recovery Tips

Osteopathy for Sinuses

Author

City Osteopaths

Categories

Archives

﻿For Wellington's Premier Health Clinic, Call (04) 499 1439 to Make an Appointment﻿

For Wellington's Premier Health Clinic,
Call (04) 499 1439 to Make an Appointment