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Dr Allder Reviews New Headache Treatment

December 13, 2018

Can Massaging Really Help Relieve Headaches?

Dr Steven Allder, Consultant Neurologist at Re:Cognition Health, gave his expert opinion to the Daily Mail in a review of massage gadgets for headaches.
Migraines

Headache Treatment: New Approaches

Whilst massage won’t relieve the symptoms of migraine, it may be effective in alleviating the pain of a tension headache.

There have been several studies published on the benefits of massage and the role it can play in relieving pain. The University of Miami found that massage can increase levels of brain chemicals that control our emotions, releasing “feel good” hormones, helping to relax and reduce stress levels.

Dr Allder highlights the importance of finding out what causes headaches

The latest gadgets reviewed by Dr Allder claim to ease headaches, promote sleep, stimulate the brain, relieve pain and stimulate the memory.

Before investing in the latest gadgets, Dr Allder recommends seeking expert medical advice for persistent episodes.

The Re:Cognition Health Consultant Neurologist stresses the importance of finding the trigger for the headache and also understanding the difference between migraines and tension headaches.

Below Dr Allder explains the difference between migraine and tension headaches:

What are tension headaches?

Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most prevalent headache disorder in the general population, whereas migraine is the most common headache diagnosis in the primary care setting as it is generally more severe, and patients with migraine seek medical help.

  • It’s characterised by a mild to moderate bilateral headache
  • It’s classically non-throbbing and has no associated symptoms or features
  • Unlike migraine, there seems to be only a minor role of hereditary and genetic factors in episodic TTH to the exception of chronic TTH

What is a migraine?

Migraine is a neurovascular condition defined by attacks of moderate to severe throbbing headache. Chronic migraine occurs when headaches occur more than 14 days per month for 3 months, where only eight of these headache days need to have migraine characteristics.

  • It’s often accompanied by sensitivities, notably photophobia and phonophobia, but also sensitivity to odor and movement
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms are also common, as well as changes in brain states such as emotional, cognitive, autonomic or vestibular

Read the full article to see how the gadgets scored 

To book an appointment with Dr Allder, simply fill in the form below

  • How brain-healthy is your life?

    Below are some questions about things that affect your brain health. If you’re not sure which answer you should choose to some of the questions, you can check the information overleaf.

  • Keeping your brain active

    Just like a muscle, your brain gets stronger when it’s regularly used. You can make sure that you keep your brain active by taking part in a variety of stimulating activities like reading, visiting museums or exhibitions, learning a new language or skill (e.g. cookery, crafts, gardening), challenging puzzles, “brain training” games, or if you have a job that involves a high level of responsibility. Social activity keeps our brains active too, so seeing friends and family regularly and being part of a club or activities in the community is great for your brain.

  • Keeping your body active

    Exercising for brain health should be at a moderately vigorous level, so that you feel warmer and your heart beats faster (e.g. brisk walking, cycling) ideally for at least 150 minutes or more vigorously (e.g. running, Zumba) for 75 minutes, spread throughout the week. It also includes strength, balance and co-ordination exercises. Strength exercises can be using weights or resistance bands, or even carrying heavy shopping! Yoga, pilates, dance or tai chi are great for balance and co-ordination. Exercising with other people keeps you motivated and enhances its effects on brain function. It helps if you can find things that you enjoy, set reasonable goals and be consistent.

  • Keeping your body active

    Exercising for brain health should be at a moderately vigorous level, so that you feel warmer and your heart beats faster (e.g. brisk walking, cycling) ideally for at least 150 minutes or more vigorously (e.g. running, Zumba) for 75 minutes, spread throughout the week. It also includes strength, balance and co-ordination exercises. Strength exercises can be using weights or resistance bands, or even carrying heavy shopping! Yoga, pilates, dance or tai chi are great for balance and co-ordination. Exercising with other people keeps you motivated and enhances its effects on brain function. It helps if you can find things that you enjoy, set reasonable goals and be consistent.

  • Eating well

    A brain-healthy diet is high in fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, beans, nuts, seeds, some fish and poultry, and low in red meat, full-fat dairy products or sweet treats. Butter is replaced by healthier fats like olive oil. Some nutrients that are particularly important for brain health are Vitamin B12 (in fortified foods, meat, fish and dairy products), folate (e.g. in dark green vegetables and in legumes, and in fortified food products), Vitamin E (e.g. in nuts, seeds, spinach, sweet potato, red peppers, asparagus, avocado and mango) and Omega 3 fatty acids (e.g. salmon, mackerel, sardines).

  • Keeping at a healthy weight

    You can check whether you are at a healthy weight by using an online Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator or ask your doctor or nurse.

  • Drinking alcohol in moderation

    The guidance in the UK for drinking alcohol at a safe level for both men and women is to drink a maximum of 14 units or less per week, but if you drink near to 14 units per week these should be spread over 3 days or more. A unit of alcohol is a half pint of average strength beer, a single measure of spirits or half a 175ml glass of wine.

  • Keeping your brain active

    Just like a muscle, your brain gets stronger when it’s regularly used. You can make sure that you keep your brain active by taking part in a variety of stimulating activities like reading, visiting museums or exhibitions, learning a new language or skill (e.g. cookery, crafts, gardening), challenging puzzles, “brain training” games, or if you have a job that involves a high level of responsibility. Social activity keeps our brains active too, so seeing friends and family regularly and being part of a club or activities in the community is great for your brain.

  • Looking after your mental health

    Low mood, stress, anxiety, and poor sleep are symptoms experienced by many people at any stage of life. All can affect our memory in the here and now, and possibly in the longer term. If you have any worries about your mental health, talk to a healthcare practitioner – there are many ways to help, and tablets are not usually the first or only option. Many people with these symptoms find that talking therapies, self-help therapies, exercise or mindfulness techniques are helpful.

  • Quitting smoking

    If there was no smoking at all in the UK, we could reduce the number of people who develop dementia by more than 10%. Information and support about quitting can be found at www.nhs.uk/smokefree.

  • Staying on top of high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes

    Some people who develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can reverse the changes with regular exercise, healthy eating and weight loss. Others need to take medication but they can often still benefit from these lifestyle changes to help to keep the best possible control of their condition. All of these conditions can affect brain as well as general health, so it is important to have regular checks and to work with your doctor to follow any treatment that is recommended.

  • Staying on top of high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes

    Some people who develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can reverse the changes with regular exercise, healthy eating and weight loss. Others need to take medication but they can often still benefit from these lifestyle changes to help to keep the best possible control of their condition. All of these conditions can affect brain as well as general health, so it is important to have regular checks and to work with your doctor to follow any treatment that is recommended.

  • Staying on top of high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes

    Some people who develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can reverse the changes with regular exercise, healthy eating and weight loss. Others need to take medication but they can often still benefit from these lifestyle changes to help to keep the best possible control of their condition. All of these conditions can affect brain as well as general health, so it is important to have regular checks and to work with your doctor to follow any treatment that is recommended.

  • What's your score?

    If your score is less than 12/12 then you may be able to make changes to make your lifestyle more brain-friendly. Please provide your name and email address to find out more about maximising your brain health!
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