Headaches
Whether you experience occasional headaches, tension around your head and neck, or headaches that keep coming back, they can be frustrating.
Headaches can affect your concentration, sleep, work and the activities you enjoy.
At The Hive Health in Neath, our chiropractors and osteopaths take the time to understand your symptoms, explore possible contributing factors and help you understand your options.
Could chiropractic or osteopathy be appropriate?
Some headaches, particularly those associated with certain problems involving the neck, may benefit from appropriate treatment, exercise and advice.
However, headaches have many different causes, and chiropractic or osteopathic treatment isn't suitable for every type.
At The Hive Health, we'll start by asking about your headaches, your general health and how your symptoms are affecting you.
Your assessment may include examining your neck movement, relevant muscles and joints, and checking your nervous system where appropriate.
If we think chiropractic or osteopathic care may be suitable, we'll explain our findings and discuss your options.
Depending on your circumstances, these might include:
- Hands-on treatment for relevant muscle or joint problems
- Exercises and advice about movement and activity
- Practical strategies to help manage symptoms
We'll explain the potential benefits, risks and alternatives so you can make an informed decision.
If we think your headaches need further medical assessment, we'll explain that too.
Should I choose chiropractic or osteopathy?
You don’t need to decide which profession your condition “belongs” to.
There is considerable overlap between chiropractic and osteopathy. The individual practitioner’s experience, approach and treatment style will often be more relevant than their professional title.
We work as a team and can help redirect you if we believe another practitioner or healthcare service would be better suited to your needs.
When should I seek medical advice about headaches?
Most headaches aren't caused by anything serious, but some symptoms need medical attention.
Call 999 for a sudden, extremely severe headache, or a headache accompanied by symptoms such as new weakness, difficulty speaking, confusion or sudden loss of vision.
Seek urgent medical advice for headaches following a significant head injury, or headaches accompanied by fever and a stiff neck.
If your headaches are new, becoming more frequent, changing significantly or affecting your everyday life, it's sensible to speak with a healthcare professional.
For further information, visit the
NHS headache guidance.
What happens next?
A First Visit gives your practitioner time to listen, assess you and explain whether they believe treatment at The Hive Health is appropriate.
Treatment may be offered at the First Visit when it is appropriate and you are happy to proceed, but an assessment does not automatically mean treatment will be recommended.
Should I book Chiropractic or Osteopathy?
You don’t need to work out which profession your condition “belongs” to before booking.
For the problems we commonly see at The Hive Health, there isn’t a condition that automatically needs to be seen by a chiropractor rather than an osteopath—or vice versa. Both are regulated healthcare professions, and although there are some differences in training and clinical approach, there is considerable overlap in how our chiropractors and osteopath assess and treat people.
In practice, the individual practitioner—their experience, treatment style and approach—often matters more than their professional title.
We also work as a team. If your practitioner believes that another member of the team or a different healthcare service would be better suited to your needs, they’ll explain why and help direct you appropriately.
What if you can't help me?
If we don’t believe treatment at The Hive Health is appropriate, we’ll explain why.
Depending on what we find, we may advise you to speak to your GP or another healthcare professional, or recommend a different service. Where appropriate, and with your consent, we can also write to another healthcare professional about our findings.
We’ll only recommend treatment when we believe it is suitable and necessary for you.
What if I'm nervous about treatment?
Please tell us. It is completely reasonable to have questions or concerns, particularly if you haven’t visited a chiropractor or osteopath before.
Your practitioner will explain the techniques they recommend and adapt their approach to you. Manipulation is not compulsory, and treatment will only go ahead with your consent.
You can ask questions, express a preference or change your mind at any point.