Osteopaths at St Peter Osteopathy are happy to help patients with any treatment listed above.

Rebound headaches

Rebound headaches are the result of taking too many painkillers. Osteopaths frequently see patients presenting with headaches. On taking a history it then emerges that the patient has a chronic painful condition such as arthritis for which they are taking large quantities of pain-killers on a continual basis. However, these headaches are actually caused by the analgesics themselves. One indicator suggestive of a rebound headache is that symptoms are worse in the morning right after waking. This is due to the pain numbing effect of the drug wearing-off overnight. Osteopaths will suggest that patients cut-back on the quantities of drugs they are taking and rather focus on the real cause of their complaint. If, for example, the issue was arthritis there are a number of non-analgesic supplements which can be taken as well as physical relief and exercises.

Neck stiffness

Neck stiffness is one of the most common conditions presented to ostoepaths. The most typical presentation is a muscle in spasm which is a reaction by the body to protect a deeper primary cause which may be an indication of a more serious neck complaint. Frequently the cause of the pain is a single violent trauma such as a whiplash or sports injury. More worrying would be an underlying degenerative condition weakening the discs in the spinal column. An osteopath will treat this condition most effectively after the worst of the spasm has passed so that the underlying condition may be effectively diagnosed and addressed. Typically rest and ibuprofen will be recommended in the interim. Once the muscles have relaxed manipulation or mobilisation are likely to be beneficial.