Headache Treatment for Bangalow
Finding the source of your headaches
There are several distinct headache types, and they are treated differently. Tension-type headache, migraine, headaches from the upper neck and headaches driven by the jaw can all feel similar from the inside, which is why so many people spend years managing the wrong one.
Tension-type headache is steady and often builds through a day at a desk or behind the wheel, which is the pattern we hear most from people commuting over the range. Cervicogenic headache begins in the upper neck and tends to stay on one side. Migraine usually comes with nausea and a strong dislike of light or noise. Jaw-driven headache tends to settle at the temples, or is there when you wake up. Plenty of people have more than one running at once, and some headaches have causes, like sleep, hormones or medication use, that are not ours to treat. Part of the first appointment is working out which of these you are dealing with.
Read more about how we assess headaches and our approach to migraine. If clenching or jaw ache is part of your pattern, see our jaw pain page for Bangalow.
Who you will see
You will see Dr Leon Erdrich (Osteopath). Leon is AHPRA registered, has a special interest in treating the head, neck and jaw, and teaches in the osteopathy program at Southern Cross University as a clinical educator.
We take a detailed history, examine the neck and jaw, and explain what we think is going on before starting treatment. Many people arrive having already seen a GP or a physiotherapist without a clear answer. We work alongside those practitioners rather than instead of them, and if we do not think we can help, we will say so at the first appointment rather than after six.
Signs your headaches are worth assessing
- They turn up most weeks, or the gaps between them are shrinking
- You reach for painkillers more days than not
- The pain starts at the back of the head or in the neck
- Your jaw feels tight, clicks, or you wake with a sore face
- They started after a car accident, a fall or a knock to the head
- Long days at a desk or in the car reliably bring one on
A headache that is sudden and severe, or comes with fever, confusion, weakness, slurred speech or vision loss, needs emergency care. Call 000.
Where to find us
Bangalow is about half an hour from both clinics: down Bangalow Road and the motorway to Ballina, or west along the Bruxner Highway to Lismore. The appointments and fees are the same at each, so choose by the day that suits.
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.
- About 30 minutes from Bangalow via the motorway.
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.
- About 30 minutes from Bangalow via the Bruxner Highway.
Headache questions answered
Is osteopathy the right thing for headaches, or should I see my GP first?
If your headaches are recurring and you have no red flags (sudden severe onset, fever, weakness, vision changes), you can come straight to us. If we find anything that needs a GP or a scan, we will tell you.
I drive to Byron for work every day. Could that be the cause?
Sustained driving posture, with the head forward and shoulders braced, loads the upper neck and can bring on headaches by late morning. It is a common story from hinterland commuters and something we treat.
Are my headaches migraine or something else?
Migraine usually involves nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and a throbbing quality on one side. Neck and tension-type headaches are steadier and linked to posture or movement. Many people have more than one type, which is why we assess rather than guess.
I clench my jaw. Is that related?
Frequently. Clenching feeds tension into the temples and sides of the head and often pairs with neck stiffness. The jaw is assessed at every first headache appointment.
Does the first appointment include treatment?
Yes. It runs for an hour: history, hands-on assessment of the neck and jaw, an explanation of what we find, then treatment in the same session where appropriate.
Will treatment make my headache worse?
A short-lived increase after a first treatment is uncommon and settles quickly. Techniques are adjusted to you, and if anything feels wrong you tell us and we change approach.
Which clinic should I book, and can I change later?
Whichever suits: Ballina on Monday, Thursday or Friday; Lismore Tuesday to Thursday or Saturday morning. Records are shared, so you can switch any time.
What does it cost, and can I claim?
$170 for the initial hour, $125 for follow-ups. HICAPS on the day for health fund claims, and $61.80 back through Medicare with a GP management plan.
How to book
Book online, choose Ballina or Lismore, then an initial consultation. New patients pay a 50% deposit when booking. What to bring and how claiming works is on our patient information page.
Book an appointment
Bangalow sits between the two clinics, so it is about half an hour whichever way you go. Book an initial consultation at Ballina or Lismore, or send us a question first if you would rather.