by Dr Tupper | May 15, 2020 | Adults, Babies, Body Pain, Children, Elderly, General Information, Mums Pre/Post Birth, Osteopathy Treatments
Ear pain is an awful sensation. One of the main causes of ear pain is the infection in an ear. This may also affect the hearing ability of the patient. Acute otitis media is a condition normally observed in children, which is an inflammation of the middle ear.
The Eustachian tube is a part of an ear that can become affected by the otitis media. However, as we grow, this tube goes from horizontal to vertical to allow better drainage and as a result, most of us have less frequent episodes of acute otitis media.
The malfunction of Eustachian tube or its inability to open correctly results in the accumulation of fluid in the canal. The retention of this fluid may cause pain, hearing problems, dizziness, and infections.
Treatment of ear pain includes the administration of antibiotics and can even involve surgery. However, osteopathic treatment is a conservative option that is a non-invasive and medication-free method that you may want to try after seeing your GP for any appropriate scans or medications. At Bribie Osteopathy, we know there may be many different reasons for ear pain.
Different reasons for ear pain
This list is some of the reasons you may have ear pain.
Ear Infection
Trigger points in muscles referring into the ear.
Temporomandibular (TMJ/Jaw) problems
Dental Issues
Referral from facet joints in the neck
Cranial Bone restrictions
How does Osteopathic Treatment help?
Osteopathy is a type of treatment, which relies on the identification of the root cause and then working with Osteopathic techniques to deal with the problem. While treating ear pain, an osteopathconsiders numerous factors that may have an influence regarding the development of such an imbalance.
One of these factors is the physiological movement of the temporal bones. These bones normally move in a rhythmical pattern. The rotation is both internal and external. If the motion of one or both these bones creates a restriction, it often leads to congestion and may contribute to a blockage in the Eustachian tube due to decreased drainage from the restricted movement.
As a result, fluid may start to accumulate in the middle ear, causing the right environment for an opportunistic infection causing inflammation and eventually pain. These are the symptoms of otitis media.
This type of cranial somatic dysfunction may be the result of hypertonicity of the sterno-cleido-mastoid (SCM) muscle or birth trauma. The SCM muscle can have tight muscle bands or “trigger points that refer into the ear or the tension of a shortened SCM may restrict the temporal bone as it is attached to it. An Osteopath appreciates and can discern the differences by examination and palpation of the tissues involved.
Our osteopaths look for the ligamentous strain patterns, cranial strain patterns, somatic dysfunction, and sacral dysfunction (yes the other end of the spine may have a restriction that effects the cranium!). The osteopathic treatment plan includes the release of these restrictions by utilizing myofascial, osteopathic manipulative, and cranial release techniques.
Osteopathy for Whole Body Health
Here at Bribie Osteopathy,our experienced and qualified osteopaths utilize many different osteopathic techniques while using the wholistic (whole body) osteopathic approach to treat ear pain. While identifying the cause of this dysfunction, the osteopath examines the patient as a whole. The focus of an osteopathy treatment is not just related to the ear, but it analyzes the appropriate body systems and anatomy to see how they may have contributed to this issue.
Why us
AtBribie Island Osteopathy,we have over 25 years of experience in treating a variety of patients with many different conditions.
Osteopathic training is 5 years full time at University at Graduate and Masters level with many post graduate courses. We are constantly upgrading our expertise and skill level.
Please contact us for any further information about how we can assist you on 0404 888 151 or book online 24 hrs a day at bribieosteopathy.com.au
by Dr Tupper | Apr 27, 2020 | Adults, Body Pain, Children, Elderly, General Information, Osteopathy Treatments
Almost everyone has experienced a headache at least once in their lifetime. However, headaches may become debilitating if the condition prevails for a longer period. The symptoms of a headache may include pain in the forehead, one sided or both sides, pain behind the eyes, aching at the back of the head or base of the skull, a band like gripping around the head and many other variations. You may also feel pressure in the neck, head, jaw or ears.
Migraines are a different type of headache, which have varying symptoms but can include sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting and changes in vision. There is a new category for migraines called cervicogenic migraine where problems in the neck trigger a migraine.
Causes of Headaches and Migraines
Headaches and migraines can be debilitating and may have many different reasons for occurring. Some of these include:
- Chronic tension and stress in the neck or shoulders
- Previous head trauma
- Jaw problems (TMJ – temporomandibular joint)
- Allergies, sensitivities or food intolerances
- Trigger points (Knots) in muscles that refer into the head.
- Facet joints (joints in the spine- in this case the neck), can refer pain into the head.
- Dehydration
- Inflammation
If your headache or migraine is due to a food allergy, it is possible to avoid triggers by analyzing what type of foods or diets are behind this disorder. You can make a food diary and note down all the items that cause headaches or migraines. By doing so, you can avoid such disorders in the future.
Salicylates are a common sensitivity. Other triggers may include caffeine, aged meats and cheese, alcohol, MSG (monosodium glutamate), citrus fruits, chocolate and many others. A good naturopath may be helpful if food is the trigger and most Osteopaths have a network of practitioners, including naturopaths they can send you to for further help.
However, if stress or tension is the cause of your headache or migraines, this is the area where an osteopath can assist you. At Bribie Osteopathywe aim to pinpoint the reason/s that you may be suffering from headaches and migraines. Through a thorough history taking, examination and treatment, we aim to target the main source the headache or migraine.
By identifying the basic cause or causes of a headache, we can provide the best treatment for you. Our therapeutic approaches involve soft tissue release techniques, gentle spinal realignment, osteopathy in the cranial field which releases stress and strain and may provide relief from pain by allowing the body to achieve balance.
Osteopathic Treatment for Headaches and Migraines
Bribie Island Osteopathy offers a complete treatment approach to assist with the some of the issues that may be contributing to headaches or migraines. Osteopaths study for 5 years at university with a degree and post graduate masters that covers, pathophysiology, orthopedic and neurological examination, anatomy and physiology which allows them to be able to diagnose the key areas of imbalance in your body and treat accordingly.
Osteopathic treatment is a non-invasive approach which utilizes a gentle unwinding approach to release muscle and fascial and joint tension. The aim is to improve the function and mobility of area that is restricted whether it is the head, neck, jaw, or any other area that may be contributing to pain. Releasing the stress and strain in a muscle or joint increases the blood flow and helps with inflammation and pain that may occur from stiffness and inactivity. Sometimes overusing one area creates a similar problem. Spinal realignment may be part of this, but correct function of the whole area is the main goal. This type of Osteopathic treatment is extremely relaxing as well which is a great way to address tension type headaches along with relaxation techniques and retraining the breath.
Besides, osteopaths also utilize soft-tissue and manipulation techniques to relax the head and neck muscles. Our qualified team of osteopaths are experienced enough to locate the trigger points and treat the affected muscles to relieve you from headaches.
Osteopathic Techniques
Some of the most frequently used osteopathic techniques I use to relieve headaches and migraines are:
Cervical soft tissue massage: By employing soft tissue massage, the osteopathcan relieve the spasms of tension headache. Trigger points or tight bands in the muscle are often released with gentle, firm pressure.
Sub- Occipital Decompression: During this procedure, the osteopaths use their fingertips to stretch the paraspinal tissues located at the base of occiput. This process can help to relieve a headache that may be coming from tension in this area.
Myofascial Unwinding: It is another technique, which helps to unwind the tissues surrounded by spasm. It uses gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions (direct) or away from the restrictions into ease (indirect). This can in turn improve blood flow and relieve any lymphatic congestion within the tissue.
Muscle energy technique: For this technique, the patient works with the practitioner by providing resistance in a specific direction. This stretching technique restores motion, decreases muscle tone, relieves tissue tension and educates muscles by restoring symmetry and function.
Osteopathy in the Cranial field – The word “Cranial” does not mean treating just the head, the cranial rhythm is present in the whole body from when we are an embryo to when we die. Using the gentle rhythm of the body and, with light touch, cranial osteopathy is a very relaxing way to free up the cranial sutures and gently allow the body to unwind and release itself.
How Osteopathic Treatment Works for Relieving Headaches and Migraines
Osteopathy is a noninvasive and non-pharmacological treatment that provides relief from pain and discomfort in any part of the body. Our osteopathic practitioners utilize a variety of therapeutic techniques to improve the muscle movement by removing any kind of stress or strain.
For headaches due to stress or tension, osteopathy proves to be a relaxing treatment. It helps to release the tight musculature around your head and neck. By using therapeutic techniques, the osteopath improves the range of movement in the shoulders, neck, and upper back.
The patient may require several treatments to release the stress. If the problem resolves, after a few treatments, the practitioner will suggest further treatments. However, if a technique does not prove effective, the osteopath may discuss a different approach or referral where appropriate.
Why us
AtBribie Osteopathy, webelieve thatthe body can treat itself by utilizing its natural healing ability. We just provide the right conditions for to the body to heal itself. Our non-invasive therapeutic treatment may be extremely helpful in easing the pain of headaches and migraines.
If you are suffering from a migraine or headache, we may be able to help you. For more information and to book a consultation, please call us at Bribie Osteopathy on 0404 888 151 or book online 24hrs a day at bribieosteopathy.com.au
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