Case histories: headaches
Nick
Having a couple of osteopathic treatments can feel a bit like putting your body in for a service, and the improvements can be long term.
Nick came to see Mandy because he was feeling very "creaky and groany" and suffering regular headaches. A job which involves a lot of desk work can take its toll on the body.
"Sitting at a computer all day, by five o'clock you find yourself sitting with your face about half an inch from the screen!"
Nick came to Mandy to get loosened up and had two treatments in total.
"It's made a massive difference. Immediately afterwards I felt like I could move a lot easier, walk easier - quite an odd feeling! I thought it might be painful, but Mandy assured me that it wouldn't hurt, and there was no pain at all."
Mandy found that working at a desk all day, racing to meet tight deadlines had given Nick a band of tension around his upper chest. Releasing this tension allowed him to stand up straighter, breathe more easily, and stopped his headaches.
As well as providing treatment, osteopaths can also offer practical advice to help improve health and well being. Mandy was able to show Nick some exercises to keep himself feeling freer, and therefore making the benefit of having treatment last longer.
"It has definitely had a lasting effect. I'm not having anything like the pain that I had, and I'm not getting headaches. You learn what not to do. I really listened to what Mandy was saying about exercises to do, ways to wriggle your way out of discomfort."
Debs
When Debs first came to see Chris, she was taking time off work because of back pain and severe headaches.
"I was experiencing terrible, terrible headaches; I'd had nothing like it before. Initially after the first treatment these were worse for two days, but then they really did just go away."
Chris found that part of Debs' spine which had already been relatively stiff, had become stiffer with a build up of muscular tension as a result of stress. This had disturbed the balance of her upper back and neck, resulting in headaches.
Once the tension was addressed, the symptoms eased and with a few treatments, Debs was able to comfortably return to work.
"I don't know if I'd have ever been back to work without him."
Now Debs comes for regular, monthly maintenance treatments, which she is happy with.
"Otherwise it'll just build up again, so I keep the treatment trickling in. It makes me more aware as well, and I find it very relaxing."
