Headache Treatment for Casino
Headaches that keep coming back usually have a cause that has never been looked for, and often it is in the neck or the jaw. Head, neck and jaw conditions are all we treat at North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre. Our Lismore clinic is 30 minutes from Casino, and there is a second clinic in Ballina if that ever suits better.
Working out what is behind your headaches
A headache is the end result of something else. It might be joints at the top of the neck that have stiffened, muscles that never switch off, a jaw that clenches through the day, or the after-effects of a knock or a whiplash injury. Painkillers manage the result; treatment needs to reach the cause.
The types respond differently. Cervicogenic headache starts in the upper neck, and it is the pattern we see most from farms and worksites, where the head spends the day braced or looking down. Tension-type headache is steadier and builds through a shift. Migraine brings nausea and light or sound sensitivity. Post-traumatic headache follows a knock at work or on horseback, sometimes months later. Jaw clenching feeds tension into the temples. More than one can run at once, and some headaches have causes, like sleep, hormones or daily pain relief, that need a different kind of help. Part of the first appointment is sorting out which you are dealing with.
Our headaches page covers the main types and how each is approached, including migraine. If your jaw is involved, see jaw pain treatment for Casino.
Who you will see
Your appointment is with Dr Leon Erdrich (Osteopath). He is an AHPRA registered osteopath with a special interest in the head, neck and jaw, and a clinical educator in the osteopathy program at Southern Cross University.
A first appointment assesses the neck and jaw properly rather than in passing. We explain what we find and set out what treatment involves before starting, and we are happy to report back to your Casino GP. If we do not think this is the right treatment for you, we will say so at the first visit.
Signs it is worth getting assessed
- Headaches that arrive most weeks, or after most working days
- Pain that begins in the neck or at the base of the skull
- Headaches after a day on machinery, in a truck or on horseback
- Jaw tightness, clicking or morning face ache
- Increasing reliance on pain relief
- A headache pattern that started after an injury and never fully left
Sudden severe headache, or headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness or vision changes, is an emergency. Call 000.
Lismore is closest, Ballina is an option
Lismore is the closer clinic for Casino, about 30 minutes east along the Bruxner Highway. Ballina is around an hour, and worth knowing about if you are heading to the coast anyway or need a Monday or Friday. You see the same osteopath at either, and your records carry across.
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 Casino.
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 an hour from Casino.
Headache questions answered
I do physical work all day. Could that be the cause?
Repetitive lifting, driving machinery and working head-down all load the neck. Over time that becomes stiffness in the upper joints and headaches by the end of the day. It is a pattern we see often from farms and worksites.
I hit my head at work last year. Are my headaches related?
They may be. Headaches that persist after a concussion or neck injury are common and often involve the upper neck. We assess for this specifically and also treat concussion-related symptoms.
Could my headaches be migraine?
Migraine typically brings nausea, sensitivity to light or sound and a pulsing quality on one side. If that sounds like you, we can still help by reducing the neck and jaw contributors, working with your GP.
Can my GP in Casino refer me?
Yes, and many do. A referral is not required, but a GP management plan lets us claim a $61.80 Medicare rebate, and we report back to your GP if you would like.
What will you actually do in the first session?
We start with the history of your headaches, then a hands-on assessment of the neck, jaw and the muscles around the head, explained as we go. The appointment runs an hour and treatment usually starts in the same session.
How many appointments, and how often?
We will tell you after assessing you. Some patterns respond within a few visits; others built up over years take longer. Visits are spaced so the drive is manageable.
Is there a Saturday option?
Yes, Saturday mornings in Lismore, which suits people who cannot get away during the week.
Can I claim on my health fund?
Yes, if your extras cover includes osteopathy. HICAPS is available at the clinic.
How to book
Book online, choose Lismore or Ballina, then an initial consultation. A 50% deposit secures the booking. Fees, rebates and what to bring are on our patient information page.
Book an appointment
Focused headache care no longer means a day trip to the coast. Lismore is 30 minutes east. Book an initial consultation online, or get in touch if you have a question first.