Enjoy the gift of a headache or migraine-free Christmas

With the Christmas festivities upon us, Apex Headache Clinic founder and Spinal & Headache Physiotherapy Specialist, Rebecca Nelson, shares her expert top tips on how to enjoy a headache and migraine-free Christmas.

December is a particularly busy month for our team of headache physiotherapy specialists at Apex Headache Clinic. For many people, the lead up to Christmas is spent rushing around, picking up last minute gifts and delivering them on time. While many people will attribute the stress of the silly season as the cause of their headaches or migraines, the source of the problem is often completely different.

Getting to the source of your headaches & migraines

It is widely unknown that the vast majority of headaches and migraines are actually triggered from the upper neck region of the spine, even in cases when the person has no neck pain at all. At your initial consultation at Apex Headache Clinic, our specialist team of physios will thoroughly assess whether there is a neck component to your headaches or migraines. A course of treatment using our unique regime of manual physiotherapy, called The Nelson Approach™, will follow. This specialised regime isn’t available at any other clinic in the UK or Ireland, and this, combined with our high success rate explains why patients travel from all over the UK, Ireland and Europe to avail of it.

Top tips for enjoying a headache or migraine free Christmas

Your pillow matters: It might surprise you to learn that soft or flat pillows can actually trigger headaches and migraines, as well as neck pain and stiffness, due to their inability to support the neck. Apex Headache Clinic is fighting the war against poor pillows, thanks to our own, custom-made orthopaedic pillow collection. The Apex Sleepwell Pillow collection is clinically proven to reduce neck pain, headaches and/or migraines in the majority of cases. These pillows can be purchased from our clinic’s reception in Belfast, on our website or from Amazon.

Don’t slouch in front of the TV all day: While the festive season sees many of us relaxing in front of the TV, avoid prolonged periods in the same position, as this often causes neck stiffness, leading to the onset of a headache or migraine. As little as a brisk 5 to 10-minute walk is all it can take to help avoid your neck becoming stiff, so make sure you get up and move about regularly.

Minimise lifting heavy objects: Carrying heavy items such as shopping bags can excessively load the upper neck region of the spine, triggering a headache or migraine in the process. Remember to use a trolley rather than a basket, and avoid lifting a heavy load, opting for more frequent, lighter loads instead.

Beware of wine consumption: Even in small quantities, wine is known to severely trigger headaches or migraines. Spirits and cocktails with fruit juice are much less likely to trigger one and ensure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Avoid overusing medication: When a headache strikes, many people reach for painkillers in the hope of a little relief. However, too frequent medication can actually make them worse. The advice here is to limit taking tablets to the worst two or three days of any week. A heat pack applied to the hairline area at the back of the head should offer some relief, while ice is not recommended.

Tis the season to be headache-free

If you suffer persistent headaches or migraines, help is at hand. Book an initial assessment and treatment today with Apex Headache Clinic, Belfast and let our headache physiotherapy specialists take the headache or migraine out of Christmas for you. Treatment can truly be life changing for many, many people.

Gift vouchers are available at Apex Headache Clinic, both in the Clinic and by calling: 028 9048 4153. Merry Christmas and a happy headache-free New Year from all the team at Apex Headache Clinic!