Tis the season to be free of headaches & migraines
As Christmas approaches, Rebecca Nelson, spinal and headache physiotherapy specialist and clinic owner of Apex Headache Clinic, shares her top tips on staying headache and migraine-free this festive season.
December is one of the busiest months of the year at Apex Headache Clinic. The festive season for many involves plenty of carrying shopping, delivering presents and cleaning the house for family coming which often provokes painful headaches and migraines.While most people will attribute this to the stress of the silly season, what is actually causing the agonising pain may shock you.
The source of the problem
The majority of headaches and migraines are triggered from the upper neck region of the spine, even if the person doesn’t suffer from any neck pain. An initial assessment at Apex Headache Clinic will determine whether your headaches or migraines are triggered from your neck. The good news is that our unique specialist regime of manual physiotherapy treatment clears or significantly reduces headaches and migraines in the vast majority of cases. We offer a medical model of treatment and that is why we receive a lot of referrals from consultant neurologists and GPs, although patients can also refer themselves.
Taking the headache or migraine out of Christmas
During December, follow Apex Headache Clinic’s top tips for a headache and migraine free Christmas.
• Avoid repetitive lifting of heavy objects such as weighty shopping baskets or bags as these can excessively load the upper neck region and trigger headaches or migraines. Instead, use a trolley or lift several lighter loads rather than fewer heavy loads.- Tis the season to be merry but watch how much wine you consume! Even in small quantities, wine can trigger migraines and headaches. Spirits and cocktails are much less likely to set off headaches and drinking water between alcoholic drinks will help.
• 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. Prolonged sitting can stiffen your neck, triggering headaches in the process. Break up your sitting with short spells of movement.
• Don’t let soft or flat pillows worsen your headaches – switch to an Apex Sleepwell Pillow. Each pillow in the range has been technologically designed to include a unique 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 perfect sleeping position for a healthy neck.
• Overusing medication for headaches and migraines can actually worsen them, so limit your intake to the worst 2 or 3 days per week. Try heat packs to give you short term relief
and avoid ice.
Give the gift of a headache-free Christmas
If you suffer persistent headaches and migraines, help is at hand. Book an initial assessment and treatment today at Apex Headache Clinic and let our specialist physiotherapists take the headache out of Christmas for you this year.
Gift vouchers and Apex Sleepwell Pillows 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 the team at Apex Headache Clinic.