Headaches & Migraines in Leigh-on-Sea & Southend-on-Sea, Essex

We offer therapies for headaches and migraines in Southend-on-Sea, Essex at The Body Matters. Therapy for these is available from our clinic based in Leigh-on-Sea, in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. We also offer telephone & online support and remote consultations.

What is a headache?

A headache is a discomfort or pain in the head, scalp, or neck region, varying in intensity and duration. It can arise from various factors such as tension, stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, sinus congestion, eyestrain, hormonal changes, or underlying medical conditions. Headaches can manifest as dull, throbbing, or sharp sensations and may be localised or spread across the head. They range from mild nuisances to debilitating conditions, often accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light, or impaired concentration.

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a neurological condition characterised by recurrent episodes of severe, pulsating headaches typically affecting one side of the head. Migraines often come with additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, or smells, and visual disturbances known as aura. These episodes can last for hours to days and may be preceded by warning signs. Migraines significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life for those affected, necessitating proper diagnosis and management strategies tailored to individual needs.

What type of headache or migraine am I suffering from?

• Tension-type headache - Statistically, 90% of headaches suffered in society are tension-type headaches. These are generally benign, in that there is no insidious pathology behind the symptoms other than physical tension in muscles around the head and neck.
• Migraine - Migraines are more complicated as there are usually vascular, neurological, nutritional or hormonal imbalances that initiate symptoms, so may require medical investigation to identify possible triggers and develop the best management.
• Cervico-genic headache - Cervico-genic headaches, like tension-type, have an anatomical basis for the onset of headaches. In this case, there is a problem with the neck. It can be muscle or joint issues or even a nerve impingement, but when nerves have impinged, there will be a cross-over of symptoms with the next category of headaches known as neuralgias.
• Trauma/Concussion-induced headache - A trauma or concussion-induced headache occurs after a head injury, resulting from trauma to the brain or surrounding tissues, leading to pain and discomfort in the head. These headaches can vary in severity and duration, often accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and cognitive difficulties.
• Neuralgias - Neuralgias can affect any nerve in the body and essentially translates as nerve pain. When nerves around the head and neck are affected then symptoms will mainly manifest around the head and neck and thus, they are in our list of types of headache.
• Thunderclap/Cluster Headaches - The most severe headaches are thunderclap and cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not generally seen in musculoskeletal clinics as patients will probably be at A and E or present to their GP at the very least. The pain is extreme in intensity and comes in sudden waves or clusters of head and facial pain.

Above, is a list of the types of headaches seen in society. It is important to understand differences in the nature and presentation of symptoms of headaches in order to meet certain diagnostic criteria and therefore offer appropriate treatment or management advice.

When should I seek medical help for headaches or migraines?

You should seek help for headaches or migraines if they are severe, sudden, or increasing in intensity, especially if accompanied by neurological symptoms like weakness, numbness, confusion, difficulty speaking, or vision changes. Additionally, you should seek help if the headaches occur after a head injury or persist despite over-the-counter medication, or if they significantly interfere with daily activities or quality of life.

What therapies are available for headaches or migraine?

With an anatomical basis (muscle, connective tissues, joint or nerve) to the types of headache you may be suffering, there will more likely be help available with manual therapy and massage therapies, but also the advice you can get from our therapists at The Body Matters can offer some self-efficacy, to help better manage potential triggers yourself.

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