Headache Treatment for Alstonville
If headaches keep coming back there is usually a reason, and often it is something in the neck or jaw that has never been assessed. We are an osteopathy clinic that works only with the head, neck and jaw, and both our clinics are about 15 minutes from Alstonville. The first appointment is about working out what is driving your headaches, so treatment can be aimed at that rather than at the pain.
Why headaches keep coming back
Headaches are a symptom, not a diagnosis. There is usually something behind them: stiff joints at the top of the neck, muscles under the skull that never fully relax, a jaw that clenches through the day or overnight, or an old injury that never quite settled. Sleep, stress, hormones and medication use can feed in as well. Working out which of these applies to you is what makes treatment specific rather than general.
Different headaches also need different treatment, and they can feel much the same from the inside. Cervicogenic headache starts in the upper neck and usually sits on one side. Tension-type headache is steadier, and often builds through a day at a desk or behind the wheel. Migraine tends to bring nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Headaches driven by jaw clenching commonly show up at the temples, or first thing in the morning. Post-traumatic headache follows a knock or a whiplash injury, sometimes months later. Plenty of people have more than one type running at once, which is why we assess rather than assume.
Our headaches page covers the full range we see and how each is approached, including migraine. If clenching or jaw ache is part of your picture, see jaw pain treatment for Alstonville.
Who you will see
The clinic is run by Dr Leon Erdrich (Osteopath), an AHPRA registered osteopath with a special interest in treating the head, neck and jaw. He also lectures at Southern Cross University, where he works as a clinical educator in the osteopathy program.
Most people who come to us have already seen a GP or a physiotherapist, or had a scan, without getting a clear answer. These problems are easy to miss in a general appointment, because they sit across the neck and the jaw rather than neatly in one or the other. We work alongside those practitioners rather than instead of them, and if your headaches look like something we cannot help with, we will say so and point you to the right person.
Where to find us
Alstonville and Wollongbar sit almost exactly between our two clinics: down the hill on the Bruxner to Ballina, or west across the plateau to Lismore, about 15 minutes either way. Most people choose by the day that suits rather than the distance.
Ballina Clinic
- Ballina Health Centre 32 Tamar Street Ballina NSW 2478
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Mon: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thu: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Fri: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun: Closed - Parking is directly out the front of the clinic.
Lismore Clinic
- Hinterland Osteopathy 32 Molesworth Street Lismore NSW 2480
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Tue: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Wed: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thu: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sat: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Mon, Fri, Sun: Closed - Street parking on Zadoc Street or Molesworth Street, a two to three minute walk.
What happens at your first appointment
Allow an hour. We start by talking through your headaches: when they began, where you feel them, how often they come, what brings them on, what helps, and what you have already tried. Then we assess your neck and the small joints at the top of the spine, the muscles beneath the skull and around the temples, your jaw, and your posture, and we explain what we are finding as we go. From there we tell you what we think is contributing, what we can do about it and how long it is likely to take. If that makes sense to you, treatment starts in the same session, and you leave with a plan and usually something to work on at home.
Headache questions answered
Can osteopathy actually help headaches, or is it just for backs?
Osteopaths assess and treat the joints, muscles and nerves of the neck and jaw, which are involved in a large proportion of recurring headaches. That is what this clinic works on every day.
How do I know if my headaches are the kind you treat?
If they recur, start in the neck or behind the eyes, get worse after sitting, driving or screens, or come with clenching or grinding, the neck or jaw is likely involved. If you are not sure, the first appointment is how to find out.
I already have a migraine diagnosis. Is there any point?
Often. Migraine has triggers, and neck and jaw tension are common ones. Reducing them can mean fewer attacks. We work alongside your GP or neurologist, not instead of them.
Do I need to bring anything to the first appointment?
Any scan reports or letters you have, a list of medications, and your GP management plan if you have one. Wear something comfortable; there is no need to change.
How many appointments will it take?
We will give you a realistic estimate after the first assessment, not a number before we have seen you. Some patterns shift in a few visits; ones built up over years take longer.
My teenager gets headaches. Can you see them?
Yes. Headaches in school-age kids often come from posture, screens, jaw clenching or a knock at sport, and the assessment is adapted to their age. A parent or guardian attends.
Can I switch between clinics?
Yes. Same osteopath, shared records. Book whichever clinic and day suits each time.
What are your fees, and do I need a GP referral first?
No referral. The initial consultation is $170, follow-ups $125. HICAPS for health fund claims, and a $61.80 Medicare rebate under a GP management plan.
How to book
Book online, pick the clinic and day that suit, and choose an initial consultation. New patients pay a 50% deposit at booking. Fees, rebates and what to bring are on our patient information page.
Book an appointment
If headaches have become a regular part of your week, that is the point at which it is worth finding out what is behind them. Book an initial consultation at either clinic, or get in touch first if there is something we have not answered here.