Headache Treatment for Lennox Head
If your headaches keep returning, something is driving them, and it is usually in the neck or the jaw. North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre is an osteopathy practice that treats only head, neck and jaw conditions, so working out where a headache is coming from is what we do every day. Our Ballina clinic is ten minutes from Lennox Head, and we also have a clinic in Lismore.
Why headaches keep coming back
Recurring headaches usually have a driver that painkillers do not reach. Stiff joints at the top of the neck, tight muscles under the skull, jaw clenching and old whiplash injuries are common ones, and they often sit behind headaches that have been labelled tension or migraine for years.
The types can feel much the same from the inside. Cervicogenic headache starts at the base of the skull and usually favours one side, and it is the one we see most in people who paddle or surf, because the neck spends long periods in extension. Tension-type headache is steadier and builds through the day. Migraine brings nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Post-traumatic headache follows a wipeout, a fall or a car accident, sometimes long after the acute injury settled. 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. That is why we assess rather than assume.
Read about our approach to headaches, including migraine. If jaw tightness is part of the picture, our jaw pain page for Lennox Head covers that side.
Who you will see
Headache appointments are with Dr Leon Erdrich (Osteopath), who has built his practice around the head, neck and jaw. He is AHPRA registered and teaches in the osteopathy program at Southern Cross University as a clinical educator.
Because the practice treats nothing else, the assessment goes further into the neck and jaw than a general appointment usually can. A first appointment starts with the story of your headaches and a hands-on assessment of the neck, jaw and surrounding muscles. Once we know what is contributing, treatment is aimed at that rather than at the pain alone. If your headaches turn out to need something other than what we do, we will say so and point you in the right direction.
What happens at your first visit
Allow an hour. We start by talking through when the headaches began, where you feel them, what sets them off and what you have already tried. We then assess how your neck moves, check the joints and muscles at the base of the skull, look at your jaw and posture, and explain what we find as we go. Treatment usually starts in the same session, and you leave with a plan and one or two things to work on at home.
Where to find us
Ballina is ten minutes from Lennox Head down the coast road or Ross Lane, which makes follow-ups easy to fit around work or school. Our Lismore clinic is about 45 minutes away and runs Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday mornings if the Ballina days do not suit. Appointments, fees and your records are the same at both.
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.
Headache questions answered
Can osteopathy actually help headaches?
Yes, where the neck, jaw or the muscles around the head are involved, which is the case for a large share of recurring headaches. That is the whole focus of this clinic. If your headaches look like they have a different cause, we will say so and point you to the right person.
Can surfing or paddling cause headaches?
It can. Paddling holds the neck in extension for long periods, which loads the joints and muscles at the top of the neck. Headaches at the back of the head or behind the eyes after a session are a common pattern on the coast.
How do I know if my headache is coming from my neck?
Neck-driven headaches tend to start at the base of the skull, favour one side, and change with neck movement or after sitting for a while. You do not need to be sure; assessing the upper neck is part of every first appointment.
I get migraines. Is there any point?
Often. Neck and jaw tension are common migraine triggers, and reducing them can mean fewer attacks. We work alongside your GP or neurologist’s plan, not instead of it.
What happens at the first appointment?
An hour. We go through the history of your headaches, then assess the neck, jaw, posture and the muscles around the head, explaining as we go. Treatment usually starts in the same session.
How many appointments will I need?
We will give you an honest estimate after we have assessed you. Some patterns change within a few visits; long-standing ones take more. Being ten minutes away makes follow-ups easy to fit in.
Can I book Lismore if a Ballina day does not suit?
Yes. Records are shared between the two clinics, so you can book Ballina one visit and Lismore the next, including Saturday mornings in Lismore.
Do I need a referral, and what does it cost?
No referral. The initial consultation is $170, follow-ups $125. HICAPS is available for health fund claims, and a GP management plan attracts a $61.80 Medicare rebate.
Also treated at our Ballina clinic
Headaches rarely travel alone. Neck pain, jaw pain and dizziness often sit alongside them, and we assess all of them together.
Migraine
Migraine is a complex condition often linked to the nervous system. We support your recovery through manual therapy, lifestyle advice and trigger management.
Jaw & Orofacial Pain
Pain, tightness or clicking in the jaw may indicate TMD. Jaw movement, muscles and surrounding structures: we assess all three.
Whiplash & Neck Pain
Neck pain after injury or strain can affect movement, sleep and posture. We provide targeted treatment and self care strategies to support healing.
Vertigo & Dizziness
Balance issues and dizziness can be linked to the neck, jaw or inner ear. We assess your symptoms and guide you through rehab and recovery.
How to book
Book online, select the Ballina clinic and choose an initial consultation. New patients pay a 50% deposit when booking and the balance on the day. Fees and rebates are on our patient information page.
Book an appointment
An hour with an osteopath who treats only head, neck and jaw conditions, ten minutes from Lennox Head. No referral needed. If you would like to talk it through first, get in touch.