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By Dr Sarah Varmalis, Senior Osteopath Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic conditions that affect the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissue is what gives structure and support to things like ligaments, skin, blood vessels, and even internal organs. It’s essentially the “scaffolding” that holds everything together. In people with EDS, this connective tissue is more elastic and less supportive than usual. This often shows up as joints that move more than they should (sometimes called hypermobility), skin that may be more stretchy or fragile, and a tendency toward injuries like sprains, dislocations, or ongoing aches and pains. But EDS isn’t just about being “flexible.” Because connective tissue exists throughout the entire body, it can affect multiple systems. This means people may experience a wide range of symptoms; from joint pain and fatigue, to digestive issues, dizziness, or difficulty regulating energy levels. It can look very different from one person to another, which is part of why it’s often misunderstood or missed early on.  Learning More and Getting Diagnosed For those wanting to better understand Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, ‘The Ehlers-Danlos Society’ is one of the most trusted resources available. They provide up-to-date information on the different types of EDS, as well as guidance around diagnosis and management. The current diagnostic criteria (particularly for hypermobile EDS (hEDS)) can be found here: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/heds-diagnostic-checklist/ Diagnosis is not always straightforward. It typically involves a combination of medical history, physical assessment (including joint hypermobility), and ruling out other conditions. For many people, the process can take years. EDS also rarely exists in isolation. Because connective tissue is found throughout the body, it’s common to see overlap with other conditions and symptoms, including:
 An Osteopathic Approach to Ehler-Danlos Living with a condition like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or ongoing chronic pain can feel confusing, frustrating, and at times, overwhelming. Many people go years trying different treatments, often being told that everything looks “normal” despite still feeling far from it. From an osteopathic perspective, the focus shifts away from chasing symptoms and toward understanding how the whole body is functioning and more importantly, where it’s struggling to adapt. What’s Actually Going On? Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a connective tissue condition. In simple terms, the “glue” that holds the body together; ligaments, fascia, blood vessels, even organs have a different structure. This often leads to increased flexibility, but that flexibility comes at a cost: reduced stability. Over time, the body works harder to compensate. Muscles overwork, joints become irritated, and the nervous system becomes more sensitive. This is where chronic pain can start to take hold. But here’s the key thing; pain in these conditions isn’t just about joints being “loose.” It’s about how multiple systems in the body are interacting and, in many cases, becoming overloaded. Why Traditional Approaches Don’t Always Work A lot of treatments focus purely on strengthening or stabilising joints. While that can absolutely be helpful, it often doesn’t address the full picture. In people with EDS or persistent pain, there are often underlying drivers such as:
A Different Way of Looking at the Body Osteopathy takes a whole-body approach. Rather than asking “where does it hurt?”, the question becomes “why is the body under strain in the first place?” Two techniques that are particularly useful in these cases are:
Counterstrain: Calming the Nervous System Counterstrain is a technique that focuses on tender points in the body, small areas that reflect dysfunction in muscles, nerves, blood vessels, or organs. Rather than stretching or pushing into pain, the body is placed into positions of ease. These positions are held briefly, allowing the nervous system to “reset” its perception of that area. In patients with EDS or chronic pain, this can be incredibly powerful. Why? Because the nervous system is often running in a heightened, protective state. Counterstrain helps reduce that sensitivity, allowing muscles to relax and improving how the body coordinates movement. A key part of this process is the cranial scan. By gently assessing points along the skull, practitioners can identify which systems in the body are under strain—whether that’s vascular, neurological, or visceral. It becomes a roadmap for treatment, rather than guessing where to start. The Barral Approach: Supporting the Organs When people think about pain, they rarely think about organs but they should. The Barral approach (often called visceral manipulation) looks at how organs move and interact with surrounding structures. Each organ has its own natural rhythm and mobility. When that movement is restricted, it can create tension patterns throughout the body. For example:
In EDS and chronic pain conditions, these subtle restrictions can play a much bigger role than expected. By gently improving how these structures move, the body often finds it easier to settle, stabilise, and function more efficiently. Why Gentle Treatment Matters One of the biggest misconceptions is that stronger or more forceful treatment leads to better results. In reality, for people with EDS or heightened pain sensitivity, the opposite is often true. The body responds best to:
Both Counterstrain and the Barral approach respect this. They work under the body’s tolerance, rather than pushing past it. What Patients Often Notice While every person is different, common changes patients report include:
Importantly, progress is usually gradual and layered—because the body is unwinding patterns that have often been there for years. The Bigger Picture Managing Ehlers-Danlos and chronic pain isn’t about finding a single “fix.” It’s about helping the body become more adaptable, more efficient, and less reactive over time. Osteopathy, particularly when using approaches like Counterstrain and Barral, offers a way to support that process gently and intelligently. It’s not about forcing the body into place—it’s about giving it the space and input it needs to find a better way of functioning. By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist Myotherapy, which involves manual therapy techniques to address muscle tension and pain, can be a useful adjunct to the treatment of all types of headaches/migraines, particularly when muscle tension or trigger points contribute to or exacerbate these symptoms. While myotherapy is not a primary treatment for migraines, it can help manage muscle-related aspects of the condition and provide relief from secondary symptoms.  Here's how myotherapy can be integrated into the treatment of headaches/migraines: Migraines Usually on one side of the head. This type of headache affects muscles of the face, scalp, neck, and jaw. Muscle Relaxation Myotherapists can use various techniques, such as massage, stretching, and deep tissue work, to relax tense muscles in the neck, shoulders, and head. Muscle relaxation can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, especially if muscle tension is a trigger for your migraines. Trigger Point Therapy Myotherapists are trained to identify and release trigger points—small, tight knots in muscles that can refer pain to other areas of the body. Trigger points in the neck, shoulders, and upper back can contribute to migraine symptoms. Targeted therapy to release these trigger points may alleviate some of the associated pain and tension. Postural Education Myotherapists can assess your posture and recommend changes or exercises to improve it. Poor posture can lead to muscle tension and migraine triggers. Correcting posture can help reduce the likelihood of migraines. Stress Reduction Myotherapy sessions often incorporate relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and mindfulness, to help manage stress. Stress is a common migraine trigger for many individuals, so stress reduction can be an important component of migraine management. Pain Relief Myotherapy can provide temporary relief from migraine-associated muscle tension and discomfort, helping you feel more comfortable during an attack. It's essential to remember that myotherapy is a complementary therapy and should be used in conjunction with a comprehensive migraine management plan, which may include: Medications Your healthcare provider may prescribe acute migraine medications (abortive) and preventive medications to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Lifestyle Modifications Identifying and avoiding migraine triggers, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, managing stress, and staying hydrated are important lifestyle changes that can help reduce the frequency of migraines. Dietary Changes Some individuals may find relief by avoiding specific trigger foods or additives that can exacerbate migraines. Biofeedback or Relaxation Training These techniques can help individuals learn to control physiological responses and manage stress, which can be beneficial in migraine management. Regular Check-Ins Ongoing communication with your healthcare provider is crucial to assess the effectiveness of your migraine treatment plan and make necessary adjustments. Before starting myotherapy or any complementary therapy for migraine management, consult with a healthcare provider to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for your specific condition. They can also help you integrate myotherapy into your overall migraine treatment plan effectively. Cluster Usually around the eye, this might cause the eye to water. This type of headache affects the muscles around the eye, temples and neck. Cluster headaches are primarily neurological in nature, and their underlying causes involve abnormal activation of the trigeminal nerve and changes in blood vessel dilation in the brain. The pain associated with cluster headaches is intense and severe, and it is not primarily related to muscle tension or musculoskeletal issues. Therefore, myotherapy is not typically used as a standalone treatment for cluster headaches. However, some individuals with cluster headaches may experience muscle tension and discomfort in the head, neck, or shoulder region during or after headache attacks. In such cases, myotherapy or physical therapy may be considered as part of a broader treatment plan to help relieve muscle tension and improve overall comfort. Here are some ways myotherapy or physical therapy may be integrated into the management of cluster headaches: Muscle Relaxation Techniques Myotherapists or physical therapists can teach relaxation techniques, stretches, and exercises to help reduce muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. These techniques may be useful in managing secondary muscle discomfort associated with cluster headaches. Posture Correction Poor posture can contribute to muscle tension and headaches. Myotherapists or physical therapists can work with individuals to improve their posture, which may help reduce the frequency and severity of muscle-related discomfort. Stress Management Stress can exacerbate muscle tension and headache symptoms. Myotherapy and physical therapy sessions may include stress management techniques to help individuals cope with stress and anxiety. Pain Relief Some manual therapy techniques used in myotherapy, such as massage or trigger point therapy, may help provide temporary relief from muscle tension and discomfort during a cluster headache episode. However, these techniques are unlikely to provide significant relief from the headache pain itself. By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist Headaches can be quite diverse, and understanding the different types and associated symptoms can help in proper diagnosis and management. Here are some common types of headaches and their symptoms:  Tension Headaches Dull, aching pain usually on both sides of the head, pressure or tightness in the forehead or back of the head, neck stiffness or tenderness, mild to moderate intensity, not aggravated by physical activity. Triggers: Stress, poor posture, anxiety, lack of sleep, eye strain. Migraine Headaches Throbbing or pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head, sensitivity to light, sound, or smell, nausea or vomiting, visual disturbances (aura) such as flashing lights or blind spots, lasts for hours to days. Triggers: Certain foods, hormonal changes, stress, weather changes, strong smells. Cluster Headaches Intense, stabbing pain usually around one eye, watery or red eye on the affected side, nasal congestion or runny nose, restlessness or agitation, occurs in clusters over weeks to months and then may go into remission. Triggers: Alcohol consumption, certain medications, strong odours. Sinus Headaches Pain and pressure in the forehead, cheeks, and bridge of the nose, worsens with bending forward or sudden movements, nasal congestion or discharge, fever, facial tenderness. Causes: Sinusitis (inflammation or infection of the sinuses), allergies. Rebound Headaches (Medication Overuse Headaches) Dull, persistent headache that worsens with medication use, may occur daily or almost daily, tends to improve temporarily after medication but returns. Causes: Overuse of pain relievers (such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen), caffeine withdrawal. Hormone Headaches (Menstrual Migraines) Migraine-like headaches that occur in relation to menstrual cycles, often associated with hormonal changes, such as during ovulation or just before menstruation. Triggers: Hormonal fluctuations, stress, certain foods. Exertional Headaches Throbbing headache triggered by physical exertion or exercise, typically occurs during or after strenuous activities, may last from a few minutes to hours. Triggers: Intense physical activity, dehydration, heat. Thunderclap Headaches Severe, extremely painful headache that peaks suddenly like a clap of thunder within 60 seconds to minutes, often described as the worst headache of one's life, may indicate a serious medical condition and should be checked out by your healthcare professional. This will be more Serious Pathologies so please see a doctor. (Some examples could be: Subarachnoid haemorrhage, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), other neurological emergencies) (These are general descriptions, and individual experiences can vary) Most of these headaches can be treated by your Myotherapist. But it's important to consult your Doctor for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment if you're experiencing recurrent, ‘out of the blue’ or severe headaches. By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist
How it all connects:
Simple ways to help your body work together:
Your body isn’t out to get you. Pain, stiffness, tension — it’s all just communication. Once you start listening, moving a little smarter, and supporting yourself, things start to feel a whole lot better. How some common things are connected: How is shoulder pain connected to headaches? Shoulder pain can come from a range of different things - trigger points, tight muscles or fascia & other musculoskeletal or neurovascular issues. These all can set off a chain reaction, affecting other areas of your body- sometimes even causing headaches. How can hips and back affect leg pain? Leg pain can be caused by a few different things — trigger points, tight muscles or fascia, or other musculoskeletal or neurovascular issues. Most commonly, it comes from muscle imbalances. For example: an anterior pelvic tilt can make your quads tight and your hamstrings overstretched. This imbalance can make simple movements, like touching your toes, more difficult — and may also contribute to pain in your knees, hips, or lower back. How are feet related to back pain? Imbalances in the feet — from injury, posture, or long-term habits — can create a chain reaction up the legs, hips, and back. How much it affects you depends on the severity and how long it’s been happening. For example, flat or pronated feet can cause your legs to rotate inward, which then creates an imbalance in the hips. Over time, this can aggravate your lower back and contribute to pain higher up the chain. How are hips related to shoulder pain? Problems in the hips can create postural imbalances that affect how your whole body moves and holds itself. These imbalances can pull on muscles and fascia, which may then contribute to tension or pain in the shoulders. What is causing my pain? (Referral pain) This one confuses a lot of clients—sometimes the pain you feel isn’t actually coming from the spot that hurts. It can be caused by things like:
How can a Myotherapist tell where the pain is coming from? A Myotherapist works out the source of your pain using a few different tools:
Neck retractions, also known as cervical retraction exercises or chin tucks, are a simple and effective way to address neck issues, improve posture, and alleviate symptoms associated with neck pain or discomfort. Here's how neck retractions can help with your neck:  Improves Posture: Neck retractions promote better posture by encouraging the retraction of the head over the shoulders. This helps counteract the forward head posture that is common in individuals who spend extended periods sitting at desks or using electronic devices. Reduces Forward Head Posture: Forward head posture, where the head juts forward and out of alignment with the shoulders, can lead to increased stress on the neck muscles, joints, and discs. Neck retractions help bring the head back into a more neutral position, reducing the strain on the neck and upper back. Strengthens Neck Muscles: Performing neck retractions engages the muscles at the back of the neck, including the deep cervical flexors. Strengthening these muscles is important for maintaining stability and supporting the natural curvature of the spine. Alleviates Muscle Tension: Neck retractions can help relieve muscle tension and tightness in the neck and upper back. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who experience discomfort due to prolonged periods of poor posture. Promotes Joint Mobility: The movement involved in neck retractions encourages mobility in the cervical spine. This can be beneficial for individuals with stiffness or restricted range of motion in the neck. Addresses Cervicogenic Headaches: Cervicogenic headaches, which originate from issues in the neck, can be associated with poor posture and muscle imbalances. Neck retractions may help alleviate these headaches by promoting proper alignment and reducing strain on the cervical spine. Disc Pathology: This may have a positive effect on compressed discs, however it should only be done if your healthcare professional advises you to do so. Make sure to ask first before completing as it might not be suited for you. Here's a simple guide on how to perform neck retractions: - Sit or stand with a straight spine. - Gently tuck your chin in towards your chest, as if creating a double chin. - Keep your gaze forward, and avoid tilting your head up or down. - Hold the retracted position for a few seconds, feeling a gentle stretch at the base of your skull. - Relax and return to the starting position. - Repeat the movement several times. It's essential to perform neck retractions with control and without force. If you have any pre-existing neck conditions or if you're experiencing pain during the exercise, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or myotherapist before incorporating neck retractions into your routine. They can provide personalised guidance based on your individual needs and circumstances. By Dr Sarah Varmalis, Senior Osteopath Counterstrain is a gentle, hands-on therapy that helps the body release tension, restore mobility, and calm an overactive nervous system. It works by identifying very specific points of irritation — often where fascia (connective tissue), nerves, blood vessels, or organs have become irritated or inflamed — and then positioning the body in a way that allows those tissues to “let go” of their protective reflexes. This isn’t a technique that forces anything to change — it invites the body to reset itself. Counterstrain is based on the idea that pain and restriction often come from the body trying to protect itself. When something gets overstretched or irritated, the body can clamp down around it. That’s helpful in the short term — it stops you from injuring yourself further — but over time, it can create layers of compensation and dysfunction. Counterstrain gently unwinds that.  A Short, Winding History of Counterstrain Like many good stories in osteopathy, this one starts with curiosity. Back in the 1950s, Dr. Lawrence Jones, an osteopathic physician in Oregon, was treating a man with chronic back pain. The patient couldn’t stand upright, and nothing seemed to help — not adjustments, not stretches, not rest. So Dr. Jones tried something different: he propped the man up with pillows in a way that felt totally comfortable — no pulling, no pain. He let the patient rest like that, and when the man stood up… he was about 80% better. Not just temporarily, either — the results lasted. Jones was fascinated. He started experimenting with this approach and noticed that if he held the body in these pain-free positions for about 30 to 90 seconds (sometimes shorter, sometimes longer), the body would often relax, reset, and the pain would diminish. He called the sensitive areas he worked on “tender points,” and over time, he mapped out over 200 of them. This method became known as Strain-Counterstrain (SCS). Fast forward a few decades, and one of the few physical therapists trained directly by Dr. Jones — Brian Tuckey — took the work even deeper. He noticed that a lot of dysfunction didn’t seem to be coming from muscles alone. Instead, it was showing up in the fascia around nerves, blood vessels, even organs. These deeper systems had their own reflexes and protective patterns. Tuckey refined the technique to target these more complex areas, and Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) was born. Today, there are thousands of known tender points — and we’re still finding more. How Does It Work? Your body is wired to protect itself. When something hurts — whether it's a twist, strain, inflammation, or infection — your nervous system often responds by tightening up around it. That’s a smart move at first, but if it sticks around too long, it can become part of the problem. Counterstrain works by gently placing the body into positions that turn off these protective reflexes. When we find the right tender point, we guide the body into a posture that’s as comfortable as possible — which might mean curling around it, twisting slightly, or supporting the area. We hold that position for 30 to 90 seconds (or a little longer, if needed), allowing the tissue to reset. This process can reduce pain, improve movement, and calm the nervous system — all without needing to stretch, crack, or force anything. Using the Cranial Scan to Guide Treatment One of the key tools I use in Counterstrain is the cranial scan — a gentle, hands-on assessment that helps pinpoint exactly where the body’s restrictions and tender points lie. By lightly palpating specific points along the skull with minimal force, I can feel for subtle restrictions or tension patterns in the tissues. For example, if I detect a restriction along the superior temporal line, that clue helps me identify which system or region in the body needs attention. This scan guides me in locating the precise tender points to treat, whether they’re related to muscles, fascia, nerves, or other connective tissues. It’s a bit like tuning in to the body’s signals, allowing the treatment to be targeted, effective, and incredibly gentle. What Does It Feel Like? Most people describe it as relaxing, relieving, or strangely satisfying. You’ll be guided into a very specific, comfortable position — often using soft bolsters or the practitioner’s hands for support. You don’t need to stay fully clothed during the session — wearing appropriate undergarments or soft clothing that allows direct skin access is usually recommended, depending on the area being treated. While the position is being held, you might feel warmth, pulsing, or even a wave of tiredness. That’s a good sign — your nervous system is shifting gears. After the release, the practitioner will slowly bring you out of the position and recheck the area. Often, people notice improved range of motion, less tenderness, or an immediate lightness in the body. What Kinds of Issues Does Counterstrain Help With? Because it works with the body’s reflexes and connective tissues, Counterstrain can help with a surprisingly wide range of issues — even some that don’t seem “muscular” at all. Here are just a few things it may help with:
By Rachael Bird, Myotherapist Myofascial release is a therapeutic technique that focuses on the manipulation of fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles throughout the body. This practice has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential benefits for various physical and physiological conditions.  Here are some of the key benefits of myofascial release: Pain Relief: One of the primary benefits of myofascial release is its ability to alleviate pain. By targeting specific trigger points and releasing tension within the fascia, it can help reduce discomfort associated with muscle knots, tension, and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion: Myofascial release can enhance flexibility and mobility. When fascia becomes tight or restricted, it can limit the range of motion in the muscles and joints. By releasing these restrictions, individuals often experience improved movement and greater flexibility. Enhanced Athletic Performance: Athletes and fitness enthusiasts often turn to myofascial release to optimize their performance. This technique can reduce the risk of injury, improve muscle function, and increase the efficiency of movement, which can be particularly beneficial for those engaged in sports and physical activities. Stress Reduction: Myofascial release is not just physical but also has a mental component. As the technique promotes relaxation and reduces muscle tension, it can have a calming effect on the nervous system. This can help individuals manage stress, alleviate anxiety, and promote a sense of overall well-being. Postural Improvement: Poor posture is a common issue, often caused by imbalances in the fascial system. Myofascial release can help correct these imbalances, leading to improved posture and reduced strain on the spine and other joints. This, in turn, can help prevent or alleviate conditions like chronic back pain and headaches. Faster Recovery from Injuries: For those recovering from injuries or surgery, myofascial release can aid in the healing process. It can reduce scar tissue formation, promote blood flow to the injured area, and enhance tissue regeneration, which accelerates recovery and rehabilitation. Headache and Migraine Relief: Myofascial release applied to the neck and upper back muscles can be particularly effective in reducing tension headaches and migraines, which are often triggered by muscle tightness and trigger points in the upper body. Reduction of Adhesions: Myofascial release can break down adhesions, which are areas of scar tissue that can form between layers of fascia and muscles. These adhesions can limit muscle function and cause pain, and myofascial release can help alleviate these issues. Enhanced Circulation: The gentle pressure and stretching involved in myofascial release can improve blood and lymphatic circulation. Better circulation can help deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to muscles, reducing inflammation and promoting overall tissue health. Improved Sleep Quality: Many individuals report that myofascial release helps them achieve better sleep quality. Reduced muscle tension and pain relief can lead to more restful and rejuvenating sleep. In conclusion, myofascial release offers a wide range of benefits for individuals looking to enhance their physical well-being and overall quality of life. Whether seeking relief from chronic pain, improving athletic performance, or simply looking to reduce stress and tension, myofascial release can be a valuable complementary therapy when administered by a trained and skilled practitioner. Book an appointment with one of our amazing practitioners to feel the full benefits of myofascial release! By Jacqui Mulholland, Remedial Massage Therapist You might have heard of this relatively new slang term called “tech neck” which is becoming more and more common to see in the media. Tech Neck refers to a group of symptoms characterised by neck tightness and tension caused by chronic overuse of the neck muscles that are working overtime to keep your head upright. Neck, shoulder and upper back tension and pain are some of the most common issues that our team treat every day, so if you're experiencing this pain, you're not alone, and there are plenty of ways we can help bring relief to your symptoms.  What are the symptoms?
You could be experiencing Tech Neck if you have noticed some of the following symptoms;
If you have any of these symptoms and are using a screen regularly, this can be one possible cause for the discomfort you are experiencing. Tech has become an essential part of our daily lives and whether we like it or not, it’s here to stay. So we need to understand what this is doing to our body’s and how we can help prevent long term damage and support a healthier spine. The human head weighs about 5kgs, and all of that weight is being supported by our postural muscles of the neck, chest and upper back. The neck muscles are supporting most of that weight. When you are looking down at your screen, these neck muscles engage to stabilise your head for you. Being in this forward flexed position for prolonged periods of time just adds to the amount of stress being placed onto these muscles and eventually, they will become tired, tight and sore. Overtime, without treatment this can lead to more complex neck, upper back and shoulder conditions affecting mobility, functioning and quality of life. It can also lead to fatigue, poor concentration, sleep disturbance, frustration and reduced productivity. Fortunately before it gets to this stage you have a really effective, accessible and non-invasive treatment method to manage these symptoms naturally. Massage and Myotherapy work to free up and loosen these affected neck muscles. Regular treatments help to prevent ongoing issues arising as a result of overuse of screens. Our therapists will also advise you on easy, affordable and time-wise prevention strategies you can use at home in between treatments to alleviate your pain and increase the effectiveness of our treatments. Prevention What can you do at home to help prevent Tech Neck becoming an issue for you?
Keeping up with some of these simple preventative measures at home can help reduce the frequency of and intensity of your symptoms. If you are unsure whether your symptoms are as a result of Tech Neck or some other condition, it is always best to visit your primary health care provider to eliminate other potential causes. With some regular Massage and Myotherapy treatments, Tech Neck can be well managed and we can give you some specific advice including home care & exercises to maintain the health and integrity of your neck muscles. Make a booking with one of us at Simple Wellness and we will assess your symptoms and provide a customised treatment plan to get you the best results for your Tech Neck.  By Jacqui Mulholland
Headaches and Migraines are a common complex and varied condition that may affect most of us at some point in our lives. The frequency, duration and intensity can vary, as well as the types of symptoms that can indicate whether you are experiencing headaches, or migraines. I used to be so confused about how to categorise my symptoms as a longtime headache/migraine sufferer. I would go to GP’s explain my symptoms, how they would affect me and the “cycle” with which they seemed to occur. They had a predictable pattern, and symptoms were usually quite similar each time, only varying in intensity and duration. My experience of these symptoms was often quite an unpleasant and fatiguing process. There was not much else offered as pain management at the time from my GP, the suggestions were pain meds, rest and reduce stress. This would leave me feeling a little bit deflated and helpless to do anything to change or at least manage my condition. My headaches were classified as “menstrual migraines” or “hormonal headaches”. There is a lot of confusion and unknown factors about headaches and migraines, and you wouldn’t be alone in feeling at a loss as to where you can go and the type of treatments that may help you. You should always visit your GP in the event that you suddenly start getting headaches or your headaches are changing. There are many different treatment options now for headache/migraine sufferers that weren’t available 20 years ago so it’s always worth mentioning any new symptoms to your main healthcare provider. So how do you know the difference between headaches and migraines? Well there are several different types of headaches and “Migraines” are just one of those types. The main difference between migraines and the other types of headaches is they may include some of the following symptoms (but not all)
As you can see these symptoms should not be ignored if you have never had migraines before or if your symptoms intensity or change as this could be an indication of something more serious. Always consult your healthcare provider as a first point of call. There are other types of headaches that have similar symptoms but are not classified as migraines: some of these you may have heard of: cluster, tension, sinus. These may present a little differently in terms of the location of the pain symptoms, and intensity can vary but don't usually present with the visual disturbances, heightened sensitivity or with nausea & vomiting. So whilst there is no cure for headaches or migraines, there are treatments and preventative techniques that may help. There can be certain triggers for you that you can help by avoiding. Certain foods, alcohol, getting enough sleep, regular moderate exercise, drinking water etc. In terms of prevention and management of your symptoms, that’s where remedial massage & myotherapy can be really beneficial. When you're experiencing an episode, you might notice that you will feel like your body needs rest and quiet time to recover. Overstimulation can often exacerbate symptoms. Allowing your nervous system and inner balance a chance to restore and calm down the pain sensitivity can really assist in managing the pain. Regular massage may help reduce the intensity & frequency of your symptoms, address any muscular tightness that may be contributing to sensitivity in the head, jaw, neck, upper back and shoulder areas. Remedial massage & myotherapy can provide an opportunity for your body to rest and receive nurturing touch, warmth, blood flow and may assist in improving sleep, reducing stress, regulating hormones & nervous system functioning. Your treatment may not get rid of your headache or migraine but it may help reduce the intensity and duration. I love working to help assist headache & migraine sufferers, because of my personal experience with the condition and knowing that remedial massage and myotherapy has helped me tremendously with the management of my symptoms. I know how good it can feel to receive that attention and touch to calm my hypersensitivity and I often have a really good rest/sleep following the treatment which makes so much difference to my ability to function. If you are a headache or migraine sufferer, come in for a massage and even consider regular treatments to manage recurring symptoms. This is a condition with complex clinical presentations but a very real pain experience for many people, and I’d love to help you feel and function better with less pain. I am available to help you on Mondays and Wednesdays 9.45am-2pm, Thursdays 2.45pm-7pm, and every second Saturday 9.30am-2pm. Book in with me or one of our myotherapists via our website: www.simplewellness.com.au/treatments-bookings I look forward to working with you! Dry Needling is a manual therapy technique used by Myotherapists to help reduce pain and tension in muscles. We've previously discussed the similarities and differences between Dry Needling and Acupuncture, but you may still be wondering - how does Dry Needling actually work?  The "Dry" Needle
The reason they are called "dry" needles is to differentiate them from hollow needles like the ones used for blood tests or vaccinations. A dry needle can't inject or withdraw fluids from your body. The needles themselves are ultra thin and flexible. They come with a guide tube to allow us to place them with care and precision. All needles used for dry needling are single use only. Where We Apply It Myotherapists use dry needling in painful, tight or restricted muscle groups. You may have heard about Trigger Points - those painful, tight bands that can form within a muscle over time, with repeated use or from injury. Dry needling is a technique that helps address these trigger point areas in a very specific and precise way. We assess the areas through watching you move and through palpating the muscles to find the best spots within the muscle to position the needle to relieve the trigger point. We also assess the surrounding joints and muscles, for example for hip pain we may find that dry needling in your lower back or in your thigh can help relieve pain and strain from your hip. What Happens When We Needle A Trigger Point? When we first insert the needle to the muscle, it can be felt as a little pinprick sensation on the skin. We then guide the tip of the needle into the right angle and depth of the muscle to directly stimulate the trigger point. This takes some skill and the ability to visualise in 3D the target muscle and the surrounding tissue like nerves, veins, arteries, bones and ligaments. By applying the needle into that trigger point, it causes a combination of chemical and electrical responses by the muscle. The micro damage causes by inserting the needle sends chemical messengers to the brain to get a healing response to occur. It can also cause a nerve impulse to occur, making the muscle twitch and release. To Stimulate or Not To Stimulate Because our aim in using dry needling is to get a change in the muscle tension, we often can stimulate the needle. This means we might gently move the needle in a pulsing in/out movement to repeatedly stimulate the trigger point, or we might twist the needle in a particular direction or in a series of back and forward movements. Stimulation of the needle can lead to more twitching, what we call Local Twitch Response. Dry needling can be effective even without the involuntary muscle twitch response. Some practitioners prefer a more intensive stimulation of the needles, however we prefer a gentle and slow approach. Does Dry Needling Hurt? In most cases, not really. Which is often surprising! The most common sensations you'll feel are the pinprick of the needle being positioned, a dull aching or tightening sensation around the needle, and the quick twitching response of the muscles releasing. The twitching can sometimes feel intense, but only lasts a very short time. After needling, some people can experience a little localised soreness at the sites of the needles, but most people just feel relief from tension and pain in those areas. Is Dry Needling Safe? In the hands of a trained practitioner, dry needling is a safe and effective technique. Myotherapists undergo many months of training and assessment in the skillful use of dry needling, however not all practitioners who offer dry needling are Myotherapists. Remedial Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, and other skilled practitioners can opt to undertake short courses in dry needling. Here in the Simple Wellness Myotherapy clinic, we only allow our Myotherapists to use dry needling on our patients, and we strongly believe that a weekend short course is not enough time to develop the skills needed to use dry needling safely and effectively. What Sort Of Pain Can Dry Needling Help Treat? Dry needling is great for releasing tight trigger point areas all throughout the body. It can be effective in treating headaches, neck and shoulder pain, back pain, bursitis, pain from disc injuries, sports injuries, plantar fasciitis - so many things! Want to try dry needling for your muscle pain? Book an appointment with one of our Myotherapists. |
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Simple Wellness Myotherapy & Osteopathy
Shop 12B/150 Kelletts Rd, Rowville VIC 3178 |
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