The Headache Clinic - Blog #home remedies for headachesThe Headache Clinic - Blog #home remedies for headacheshttps://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/tag/home-remedies-for-headachesThu, 09 Apr 2026 13:30:04 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Effects of amitriptyline and intra-oral device appliance on clinical and laser-evoked potentials features in chronic tension-type headache]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/effects-of-amitriptyline-and-intra-oral-device-appliance-on-clinical-and-laser-evoked-potentials-feaAlthough tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common type of primary headache, there is little knowledge of its pathophysiology. read the blog to find out more.]]>

Chronic tension type headaches

In the present study, we examined clinical and laser-evoked potentials (LEP) features in two groups of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) patients treated with two different approaches: intra-oral appliance of prosthesis, aiming to reduce muscular tenderness, and 10 mg daily amitriptyline. 


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]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 12:28:34 +0200<![CDATA[EEG change after fitting a posture modifying appliance ]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/eeg-change-after-fitting-a-posture-modifying-applianceIn this blog we discuss how a subpalatal posture-modifying appliance relieves headaches..]]>

Posture modifying appliance helps relieves headaches 

We report a case in which abnormal electro-encephalogram returned to normal after a subpalatal posture-modifying appliance designed to relieve headache symptoms was fitted.


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]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 12:27:00 +0200<![CDATA[Neck Stretching Can Treat Headaches]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/neck-stretching-can-treat-headachesBy simply doing some physiotherapy exercises at the office or in the comfort of your own home, you can treat your own headaches, says Shevel.]]>

There are many different medications, surgeries and interventions to treat headaches, but a new study reveals an effective way to treat primary headaches might be at your fingertips – neck stretching. By performing simple neck stretching exercises that stubborn and painful headache might just disappear

The study, published in Workplace Health and Safety, examined the effects of a neck stretching exercise intervention on nurses’ primary headaches. It used a pre-test and post-test two-group design with a total of 60 female staff nurses employed by a medical center in Taiwan.

Participants in the experimental group (a total of 30 patients) practiced neck stretching exercises while experiencing headaches. The participants in the control group (the other 30 patients) managed their headaches as they would usually do.

According to Dr. Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s migraine surgery pioneer and the medical director of The Headache Clinic, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on headache intensity at baseline, and at 30 minutes and 1 hour after intervention.

“Decrease in headache intensity of the experimental group was significantly larger than that of the control group,” says Shevel. “The conclusion was that neck stretching exercises is an effective method for treating primary headaches.”

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]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 12:05:03 +0200<![CDATA[New ways to end the misery of migraine]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/new-ways-to-end-the-misery-of-migraineA new understanding about one of the most common causes of pain had led to new approaches in treatment.]]>

A new understanding about one of the most common causes of pain has led to new approaches in its treatment

Migraine affects one in five women. Sufferers are all too familiar with the throbbing, often one-sided headache made worse by any movement, the crippling nausea, sometimes with vomiting, and the acute sensitivity to light, sound, smells and/or touch.

Doctors now recognise migraine as a complex neurological condition with several distinct stages.

What causes migraine?

Until recently, migraine was often attributed to the widening of blood vessels inside the head. Experts now believe that the cause of migraines is due to certain brain regions being oversensitive to some stimuli, such as dehydration, sleeping too much or too little, skipping a meal, strong smells, sunlight, even eating certain foods or changes in weather. These stimuli excite the trigeminal nerve ( the main sensory nerve in the head), causing it to release chemicals that transmit pain signals to the brain and inflame (widen) the blood vessels.

New research also points to muscle tension in the jaw and neck aggravating the trigeminal nerve, setting off the same chain of events. Before pain sets in, one in five sufferers have auras – unnerving neurological disturbances, such as seeing stars, or blind spots in visions, trouble finding words; and feeling tingling and numbness, or even vertigo.

To read more on this article by Women and Home, visit the related web post.

]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 12:01:17 +0200<![CDATA[Migraines ruined my life until I tired acupuncture]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/migraines-ruined-my-life-until-i-tired-acupunctureDo you suffer from migraines? Help is at hand, read the blog to find out more.]]>

 She shares her story to Lucy Elkins from Women and Home magazine, on how she cured…


For more on this story click here.

]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 11:50:19 +0200<![CDATA[Effective treatment of migraines and headaches]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/effective-treatment-of-migraines-and-headachesDr. Elliot Shevel is South Africa's migraine surgery pioneer and Chairman of the International Headache Society's SA branch. We've spoken to him several times here on Morning Live and every time we get a huge response.]]>
]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 11:27:04 +0200<![CDATA[Weather can cause your headaches]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/weather-can-cause-your-headachesResearch shows that the change of seasons, climate and environmental factors can all be contributing to your headaches. Read the full blog to find out more.]]>

Most people know that certain foods, lifestyle issues and exercise, can lead to migraines and headaches but few people realise that the weather can also trigger headaches. Research shows that the change of seasons, climate and environmental factors can all be contributing to your headaches

Two recent studies, published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine and in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health respectively, showed that headaches increase with higher temperatures, lower humidity and higher levels of fine particulate air pollution.

In the first study, patients who were admitted to the emergency department of a hospital due to a migraine headache, were monitored in terms of the weather conditions at the time of their admission. A total of 3 491 patients formed part of this study and a statistically significant correlation was found between daily the number of patients and the daily maximum temperatures, mean temperatures, minimum temperatures and daily temperature changes. The study also found that more patients presented with headaches and migraines when the humidity was low.

The second study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between fine particle matter in the air and daily outpatient numbers being treated for headaches in Taipei in Taiwan. Data was obtained for a five year period. It was found that the higher the presence of fine particulate air pollution, the greater the number of patients with headaches and migraines.

Dr Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s pioneer in the field of migraine surgery and the Medical Director of The Headache Clinic, says that weather-related phenomena can trigger headaches.

“The change of seasons, rain, lightning, thunder and even barometric pressure, can be triggers for headaches and migraines. Every person has different triggers, but the key is to identify your specific anatomic cause for headaches and migraines, not just the trigger,” says Shevel.

Why do the seasons impact headaches?

Click here to read the full article.
]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 10:17:12 +0200<![CDATA[Painkillers can be a big headache]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/painkillers-can-be-a-big-headacheMigraine sufferers may not realise that drug overuse can be a large part of the problem. Read the full blog to find out more.]]>

Migraine sufferers may not realise that drug overuse can be a large part of the problem

After Chantelle Binneman* gave birth to her only child in early 2012, her migraines, which she had had since the age..

To read more on this article by Amy Green for Mail and Guardian, click here. 

]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 10:16:07 +0200<![CDATA[Anxiety, depression associated with medication overuse headaches]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/anxiety-depression-associated-with-medication-overuse-headachesA new study found that mental illness such as anxiety and depression can also be associated with Medication Overuse Headaches, making this form of headache even more debilitating.]]>

Many people suffer from the effects of Medication Overuse Headaches (MOH) and this is detrimental to our daily functioning. A new study found that mental illness such as anxiety and depression can also be associated with Medication Overuse Headaches, making this form of headache even more debilitating

The study, recently published in European Journal of Neurology, found that nearly 50% of chronic headache sufferers also suffer from Medication Overuse Headaches, and that these patients had significantly higher headache disability and anxiety scores than the general population.

The researchers employed a double-blind pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial, carried amongst 50 general practitioners in Norway. A brief intervention (BI) for Medication Overuse Headaches in primary care was examined. The brief intervention was com- pared to business as usual (BAU) and population controls, and patients were followed up after 3 months.

The primary outcomes of the study were measured by the headache and medication days per month after the 3 months. Headache disability and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were also measured as secondary outcomes.

According to Dr. Elliot Shevel, South Africa’s migraine surgery pioneer and the medical director of The Headache Clinic, the results clearly show that the brief intervention was significantly better than business as usual after 3 months regarding primary outcomes. The Medication Overuse Headache patients had significantly higher headache disability and anxiety scores than the population controls,” he says. “This shows an association be- tween these variables.” The main conclusion of the study was that patients with Medication Overuse Headaches are a highly disabled group where anxiety and depression are important comorbidities.

Dr Shevel explains that the disability, anxiety, and depression are very frequently a con- sequence of the underlying pain, in other words, they are secondary to the pain. The best way therefore to treat the disability, anxiety and depression, according to Dr. Shevel, is to identify and treat the underlying pain. Once the source of the chronic pain is identified and treated, the secondary symptoms diminish or disappear spontaneously, and do not need further treatment. This is the approach used at The Headache Clinic, and has proven an incredibly successful method of treatment.

“Dr Shevel says that “the best method of treating Medication Overuse Headaches is to treat the original headache. When the original source of the pain is successfully treated, the Medication Overuse Headache spontaneously subsides. The reason for this is that the pain of the Medication Overuse Headaches comes from the same source as the original headache – when the pain source is treated, both the original headache and the Medication Overuse Headaches are treated simultaneously”.


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]]>Wed, 17 May 2023 10:01:58 +0200<![CDATA[Headache education for medical students ]]>https://www.theheadacheclinic.net/blogs/post/headache-education-for-medical-studentsVasodilatation of the extracranial arteries is most certainly linked not only to migraine pain but to the timing of migraine pain]]>

Wolff’s Postulates – Further Communication

Harold Wolff was a consummate scientist, who conducted a series of rigorous and elegant scientific studies on the extracranial vasculature. He and his co-workers showed that vasodilatation of the extracranial arteries is most certainly linked not only to migraine pain but to the timing of migraine pain, a scientific fact which has been confirmed over and over again!


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