Tis the season to be headache free

As Christmas approaches, Rebecca Nelson, Spinal & Headache Physiotherapy Specialist and Director of Physiotherapy at Apex Clinic and Apex Headache Clinic, shares her top tips on staying headache and migraine-free this festive season.

December is always a busy month at Apex Headache Clinic. The festive season sees many people rushing around, delivering gifts, carrying out last minute cleaning tasks, the result of which is often painful headaches or migraines. While many people believe these are stress induced – simply just typical of the silly season – the actual cause of these headaches and migraines may shock you!

Getting to the source is key

What is commonly unknown, is that the majority of headaches and migraines are actually triggered from the upper neck region of the spine, even in cases where the person doesn’t have any neck pain. At Apex Headache Clinic, the specialist physiotherapists will determine whether your headaches or migraines are actually triggered from the neck. The good news is that Rebecca Nelson’s regime of treatment for headaches or migraines has a very high success rate at clearing them or significantly reducing them, and all the team of physios at Apex Headache Clinic have been extensively trained in this regime.

Taking the headache or migraine out of Christmas

During December, follow Apex Headache Clinic’s top tips for a headache and migraine free Christmas.

• Minimise lifting heavy objects such as weighty shopping baskets or bags as much as possible. Heavy lifting can excessively load the upper neck region and trigger headaches or migraines. Instead, use a shopping trolley or lift several lighter loads rather than fewer heavy loads.

• Although the wine might be flowing, watch how much you consume. Tis the season to be merry, but even in small quantities, wine can cause migraines and headaches. Spirits and cocktails are much less likely to trigger headaches and ensure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

• Resist the urge to spend all day sitting. Christmas is typically a time for relaxing but avoid the temptation to spend uninterrupted hours slouched on the sofa. TV viewing can make your neck extremely stiff, triggering headaches in the process, so break up your viewing time with brisk walks and fresh air.

• Don’t let soft or flat pillows cause damage – switch to an Apex Sleepwell Pillow. Each pillow in our uniquely designed range has been technologically innovated to include a latex high-density core that runs throughout the pillow’s entire width. This central core provides the precise level of thickness and support to ensure the optimum sleeping position for a healthy neck, and thereby help to prevent headaches and migraines.

• Overusing medication can actually worsen headaches and migraines so limit your intake to the 3 worst days per week, if at all possible. Try heat packs to relieve pain and avoid using ice.

Give the gift of a headache-free Christmas

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 specialist physios take the headache or migraine out of Christmas for you this year.  Treatment can truly be lifechanging for many folk…both adults and children.

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.