Northern Ireland’s first drug-free headache and migraine clinic

This month, Rebecca explains why specialised physiotherapy rather than painkillers can be the answer to curing persistent headaches and migraines.

Headaches ruin lives

Persistent headaches and migraines ruin lives; in fact, a staggering 10 million plus people in the UK suffer from regular or frequent headaches. But, what many people do not realise is that their headaches or migraines may be triggered from damage, stiffness or stress in the structures of the upper neck.

There are many factors that cause neck-related headaches, such as poor posture, long hours at a computer or desk, heavy lifting, a fall or an accident; in many cases, there are no known triggers. Many people suffer in silence for years, reaching for painkillers to cope with the pain.

The cure for headaches ISN’T painkillers

It has been known for years that excessive medication makes many headaches worse. It is far more effective in the long term to treat pain at its source and reduce the need for people to rely on tablets, which only ever mask the pain.

Inspired by Australasian physiotherapy techniques, I have developed my own specialist regime of manual physiotherapy treatment for headaches, The Nelson Headache Approach.

Specialist manual physiotherapy really works

The Nelson Headache Approach is helping headache and migraine sufferers of all ages including children and teenagers, busy mums, business people and the elderly, clearing or easing their headaches in the long term. The high success rate in curing persistent, longstanding headaches explains why people travel from far and wide for treatment.

An initial assessment is vital to establish whether there is a neck-related component to the person’s headache and paves the way for a course of specialised physiotherapy treatment.

What the patients say

Keith Lockhart, architect, Belfast said: “I had suffered from painful, persistent headaches for more than 15 years. As a busy architect and father, my headaches were having a terrible impact on my
professional and home life. After visiting Apex Headache Clinic, I finally received relief from my headaches and after several weeks of treatment the headaches stopped completely. The difference this has made to my daily life is indescribable.”

Ruth Walker, receptionist, Belfast said: “I have suffered from severe headaches since the age of about 13. I had tests but nothing showed up. I would go partially or completely blind, sometimes for two or three hours. A friend told me about Apex and I went along. After 40 minutes, they were able to tell me that the pain was being caused by damage to my neck muscles and nerves. I just burst into tears. For years I thought I would never get to the bottom of it. Just to be told that someone can help you and that you don’t have to take tablets was amazing. My quality of life completely improved within a few sessions.”