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Complaints
Headaches and migraines
Headaches are a common complaint; most people take paracetamol, and the pain often subsides on its own. However, not all headaches are the same. Tension headaches and migraines are two common forms that differ greatly in symptoms, impact, and cause.
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Headaches and migraines
Osteopathy for tension headaches
and migraines
Tension headaches and migraines are often caused by a combination of factors such as neck blockages, muscle tension, poor posture, and disrupted blood circulation. Sometimes, movement restrictions in the organ system, which affect the neck via the nervous system, can cause headaches. These factors can increase the frequency and intensity of headaches.
Osteopathy addresses these issues by focusing on improving mobility and restoring physical balance. This is done by directly tackling the underlying causes of the headaches.
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The benefits of osteopathy
For headaches and migraines
Osteopathic treatments offer several benefits; they provide pain relief, improve sleep quality, and can help reduce dependence on medication. Moreover, these treatments have a preventive effect: they help reduce the frequency of recurring headaches and migraines.
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Treatment techniques
For headaches and migraines
Our osteopath treats tension headaches and migraines with a range of osteopathic techniques aimed at reducing muscle tension, improving blood circulation, and optimizing body posture. These treatments include spinal mobilizations, craniosacral techniques, visceral techniques, connective tissue techniques, and sometimes neck manipulations. This combination is effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches.
Additionally, our osteopath uses specific exercises to support the healing process and reduce headache symptoms as quickly as possible.
Mobilization techniques
Improve joint movement and flexibility, stimulate blood flow, optimize engorgement and promote mobility, supporting natural recovery.
Connective tissue techniques
Various techniques that reduce tension in muscles, ligaments and other soft tissue. These techniques focus on loosening adhesions, improving blood circulation and promoting relaxation.
Manipulation techniques
Gentle techniques that improve joint mobility and release blockages in the body.
Visceral techniques
Targeted manual techniques around internal organs that improve the recovery and mobility of the connective tissue around these organs.
Craniosacral techniques
Gentle techniques on the skull that target the nervous system and the mobility of the skull to reduce tension and blockages.
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Headaches and migraines
What to expect
from the treatment?
At your first visit to OsteoPlaza, we start with a thorough intake where we discuss your medical history and symptoms. Based on this, we develop a personalized treatment strategy. During the treatment, we use various osteopathic techniques to improve the mobility and functionality of the body. These include visceral techniques, manipulations, mobilizations, and stretching techniques, all aimed at resolving movement restrictions and blockages.
Clients can experience improvements in their pain and mobility during and after treatments. The duration and frequency of treatments depend on the severity of your symptoms and personal factors such as psychological stress. Our goal is to provide an effective and long-lasting solution for your headaches.
Frequently asked questions
An osteopath looks for muscle tension and movement restrictions in the neck, shoulders and back that contribute to tension headaches. Gentle techniques reduce these tensions, relieving pain.
Yes, osteopathy can help with migraines by addressing underlying tension in the body. An osteopath can use gentle techniques to reduce tension, improve circulation and calm the nervous system.
An osteopath looks for the root cause of complaints. This involves looking at the whole body and considering it as an integrated system. A physical therapist focuses only on the region where the symptoms are located and makes greater use of exercises to reduce these symptoms. Osteopathy takes a more “hands-on” approach. This is done by moving tissues (e.g., joints, muscles and connective tissue around organs) with the hands.
Although osteopathy, manual therapy and chiropractic all use manual techniques, they differ in their philosophy and approach. Osteopaths look even more for the deeper underlying cause and treat more different systems such as the organ system and focus more on connective tissues such as the fascias.
After osteopathic treatment, it is advisable to avoid strenuous physical activity and not engage in intense sports for at least 24 to 48 hours. It is also wise not to drink alcohol or undergo other therapies that may overload the body, to give the body time to recover and respond to treatment.
Yes, osteopathy is substantiated by research demonstrating its effectiveness for certain conditions such as abdominal pain, headaches, back pain, neck pain and other musculoskeletal complaints. Research in osteopathy is constantly growing and evolving.
No, a doctor’s referral is not necessary to visit an osteopath. Clients can make an appointment right away.
Osteopathy is often partially covered under supplementary insurance policies. It is advisable to check your policy or contact your insurer for specific coverage.
Arthur Sweet
"Vincent treated me for chronic complaints following a concussion, also known as post-concussion syndrome. As a doctor, I know that the conventional medical circuit unfortunately has nothing to offer patients with this condition. After nine months of daily headaches with no improvement, I came to Vincent through a friend. Vincent approaches you with a very friendly and open attitude, where he comes across as skilled and reliable. He helped me loosen stuck neck vertebrae and the surrounding structures, clearly explaining everything he does, leaving little room for actions based on vague theories. After three months, I was almost completely free of complaints and had my life back. I would highly recommend anyone with chronic complaints to schedule an appointment with Vincent to give recovery a new chance."
Carolien Smit
"When I recommend an expert in my circle, it means there is trust. For me, that is the basis for getting treated. When you have many inexplicable complaints like I did, and you are sent from pillar to post, you need certainty and clarity to build trust. To see the light at the end of the tunnel and work towards it together. Vincent is someone who takes you seriously at the first meeting, listens carefully, and starts the treatment with patience.
I came in with the complaint of unexplained severe headaches. Something we didn't solve in three treatments because besides the headaches, I was a complete wreck. My recovery is with ups and downs, which sometimes makes me insecure, but Vincent always brings me back to the core and reassures me. I've come a long way and made significant progress. My headaches are now gone, and we are calmly working on other blockages. As far as I am concerned, I will keep coming once a quarter for the rest of my life. An MOT, consciously listening to your body. A piece of self-care. And working preventively."
Melissa Heisterkamp
"I went to Vincent mainly for my migraines because I realized through physiotherapy that regular treatment was more about symptom relief and only temporarily reduced my complaints. Additionally, as an intensive athlete, I often noticed stiffness in my neck. Vincent's approach is different from what you're used to, and since I started seeing him, my migraine and headache complaints have significantly reduced! By addressing other areas, it has had an overall positive effect on my entire body, leading to improved sports performance."
Sophie Braam
"A physiotherapist referred me to Vincent because years after a facial paralysis, I still had a watering, drooping eye and headaches. Vincent patiently looked at the 'bigger picture' and identified several areas where things were stuck in the body. With about six treatments, those issues were resolved, and the headaches and eye problems were almost gone. It felt like magic. I am very glad I took this step and would recommend it to everyone, regardless of the complaint."
Barrijean Walsh
"If you are new to Osteopathy and are looking for help to cure pain or injury, try Vincent. Vincent is trained in both Osteopathy and physiotherapy. He’s fluent in English, and works in Amsterdam Oost and Amsterdam West. Over the past 5 years, I’ve had great results with Vincent in treating low back pain, hip inflammation, tight hip flexors, stomach problems, stress headache, sinus pain and jaw tension from braces. I’ve recommended him to my partner, colleagues and friends, and Vincent has helped them all. No doctor referral letter needed."
Erik van Leeuwen
"For years, I suffered from severe back, neck, shoulder, and headache issues following a major car accident. Doctors quickly prescribed medications, and various therapies only offered temporary relief. At some point, I resigned myself to the idea that I had to live with this pain, despite how heavy and unpleasant it was.
I had never considered osteopathy until my partner suggested it. That’s how I found Vincent. I wish I had known about this years ago—it would have saved me so much unnecessary pain. For the first time, someone paid attention to my extensive scar tissue, something no other therapist had ever addressed in all those years.
Thanks to the treatments, I can now say that my lower back is completely under control. The neck, shoulder, and headache issues have significantly reduced and are sometimes entirely gone. Vincent is highly skilled and solution-oriented. He focuses on the areas that need attention at that moment to achieve the best possible outcome, making each treatment unique. Moreover, he is a genuinely kind person with sincere interest, humor, and empathy. All this makes me look forward to every treatment session, knowing that it will truly help."