Headache Treatment for Kyogle
Headaches that return week after week are usually being driven by something that has never been looked for, and often it is in the neck or the jaw. North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre is an osteopathy clinic for the head, neck and jaw, and nothing else. Our Lismore clinic is 45 minutes from Kyogle and runs Saturday mornings, and there is a second clinic in Ballina.
Headaches with a cause you can do something about
Headaches that keep coming back are usually being driven by something: the joints at the top of the neck, the muscles beneath the skull, a jaw that clenches, or the legacy of an old injury. The frustration for most people is that no one has looked for it.
Which type you have matters, because they are treated differently. Cervicogenic headache starts at the base of the skull and often follows long drives on country roads, where the neck and shoulders stay braced. Tension-type headache is steadier and creeps up as the day goes on. Migraine tends to arrive with nausea and a sensitivity to light and noise. Jaw clenching shows up as headache at the temples or on waking. Post-traumatic headache can follow a knock or a whiplash injury long after the event. Some headaches have causes, like sleep, hormones or daily pain relief, that need a different kind of help, and if that is what we find we will tell you.
See our headaches page for the types we see most and how each is approached, including migraine. If jaw pain is part of it, our jaw pain page for Kyogle covers that.
Who you will see
The osteopath you will see is Dr Leon Erdrich, an AHPRA registered osteopath with a special interest in treating the head, neck and jaw. He also teaches on the osteopathy program at Southern Cross University.
A first appointment takes an hour, covers the history of your headaches and a thorough hands-on assessment, and ends with a clear explanation of what is contributing and what treatment involves. Follow-ups are planned around what is practical when you are driving in. If we cannot help, we will tell you early rather than book you in for a run of appointments.
Where to find us
Lismore is the closer clinic for Kyogle, about 45 minutes down the Summerland Way, and it is the one with Saturday appointments. Ballina is around 90 minutes and only worth it if you are heading to the coast anyway. It is the same osteopath either way, and your records follow you between them.
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 45 minutes from Kyogle via the Summerland Way.
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 90 minutes from Kyogle, if you are heading to the coast anyway.
Getting to the Lismore clinic
Follow the Summerland Way south into Lismore. The clinic is inside Hinterland Osteopathy on Molesworth Street, a short walk from the courthouse. Park on Zadoc Street in front of the courthouse, or further along Molesworth Street.
What happens at your first appointment
Set aside an hour. We begin by going through the history of your headaches in detail, because the pattern tells us a lot. We then assess your neck and the joints at the top of the spine, the muscles around the skull, your jaw and your posture, explaining what we find as we go. Treatment usually starts in the same session. You leave with a plan, a realistic idea of how many visits are likely, and things to do at home between them.
Headache questions answered
Can long drives on country roads cause headaches?
Yes. Bracing the head and shoulders against rough roads for long stretches loads the upper neck, and headaches after a long drive are a common presentation from the Kyogle district.
Will you space appointments so I am not driving in every week?
Yes. Once we understand what is driving the headaches, follow-ups are planned around what is practical, with exercises and strategies to work on between visits.
How do I know if it is my neck?
Neck-driven headaches tend to start at the base of the skull, sit on one side, and change with neck movement or after sitting. We assess the upper neck at every first visit, so you do not need to be sure beforehand.
I already take migraine medication. Is there any point?
Often. Neck and jaw tension can lower the threshold for an attack. Reducing them can mean fewer episodes, and we work alongside your GP’s plan rather than replacing it.
Can my child be seen?
Yes. Headaches in children and teenagers are often linked to posture, screen time, jaw clenching or a knock at sport, and the assessment is adapted to their age. A parent or guardian attends.
What does the first appointment involve?
An hour. History in detail, then a hands-on assessment of the neck, jaw and the muscles around the head. We explain what we find and usually begin treatment the same day.
Are Saturday appointments available?
Yes. The Lismore clinic runs Saturday mornings, which many Kyogle patients prefer.
What will it cost, and can I claim anything back?
$170 for the initial consultation and $125 for follow-ups, with no referral needed. If your extras cover includes osteopathy you can claim on the spot through HICAPS, and a GP management plan attracts a $61.80 Medicare rebate.
How to book
Book online and select the Lismore clinic. Saturday and weekday times are shown once you choose an initial consultation. A 50% deposit secures the booking. Fees, rebates and what to bring are on our patient information page.
Book an appointment
Forty-five minutes down the Summerland Way, with Saturday mornings available so the trip need not cost you a weekday. Book an initial consultation, or contact us before you commit to the drive.