Apex Headache Clinic cured my never-ending migraines so that I could get my life back on track
17-year-old student Daniel Matthews from Lurgan, started suffering from severe migraines two years ago. The pain was so bad that he has memory loss from during this time and he is currently repeating a year at school. After trying everything, he visited Apex Headache Clinic as a last attempt to get even a little relief. Here, he shares how the clinic’s unique regime of specialist manual physiotherapy treatment for migraines and headaches, called The Nelson Headache Approach™, cleared his migraines, meaning that he could finally get his life back on track.
Daniel, when did your migraines begin?
My migraines began 2 years ago. While I was playing rugby, I was at the bottom of the scrum and received a hard knock on the head, which caused me to pass out. A month or so after this, I started getting a migraine monthly. Over time these got worse until I was getting migraines every day. The pain was awful and we did everything we could to get to the bottom of it. I got medication from my GP, which I believe actually made the pain worse. I even ended up in A&E a few times, where I would stay a week at a time, get home for a few days and have to go back in again.
How did the pain affect your life?
It affected everything I did. I was missing school so my work suffered and I couldn’t play rugby anymore. I had no concentration and felt tired all the time. I couldn’t sleep because I was having vivid nightmares. There were times when I couldn’t see or hear anything. Light really irritated me, and I have scars on my face because I was scratching my skin so hard. There is much of this time that I can’t actually remember and a consultant told me that during times of trauma, the brain can shut off memory. It was a horrendous time.
What led you to Apex Headache Clinic?
It was actually my Granny and Granda who booked an appointment, after reading an interview in Ulster Tatler with a patient who had had great success. Everyone in my family was desperate to help me. During my first appointment, my specialist headache physiotherapist diagnosed my migraines as stemming from my neck. My neck was always stiff and sore but I didn’t connect this as the cause of the migraines. Gradually, with each treatment session, my neck began to loosen and I was able to come off all my medication. For 7 months now, I have been completely migraine-free.
How has your life changed since having treatment?
My life has completely changed. Everything is just a whole lot easier. I can finally socialise without worrying that I’ll have to leave because of a migraine. The best thing of all is that I have been able to get my driving licence, like anyone else my age. I was worried I would never be able to drive because of the visual disturbance.
What advice would you offer someone suffering from migraines?
Absolutely go to Apex Headache Clinic. I have no doubt that if I hadn’t gone, I’d still be in agony. The treatment has changed my life and I am sure it will work for so many others too.
To book an appointment at Apex Headache Clinic, call 028 9048 4153. No GP referral is necessary.