Children and headaches.  These two words should not go together. When a child has a headache we, the parents, just want to help the child feel better … but how?

Here is a commonly accepted classification of headache types:

1. Migraine with or without aura,

2. Tension-type Headache - Episodic, Chronic

3. Cluster Headache

4. Miscellaneous Headaches - Headache associated with head trauma

The International Headache Society estimates that ten percent of all children get migraines and that as these children become teenagers the frequency of headache occurrence increases.   Sadly, most children experience their first migraine before the age of five.  Migraines cause frequent absenteeism and missed extracurricular activities.  Headaches have a major impact on our child’s life.  Instead of anticipating play and the things children do, parents and children live in dread of the next occurrence.

While research has not yet arrived at a complete understanding of the causes of headaches, it has identified a few common denominators including falls and/or injuries to the pelvis or head.    In my experience, these traumas as well as injuries sustained during the birthing process are overlooked as root causes of headaches that  show up years later.  Parental frustration increases as the search continues for an understanding of the pain your child is experiencing.

Children and falls are synonymous.  After a fall there is often increased tension where the body is holding the impact of the fall. The body’s holding of the impact can affect the musculoskeletal system, the endocrine system, the sinuses, and can even increase nasal allergies.  For example an impact can be transmitted from the pelvic bones, to the spinal column and up to the skull. Episodic tension-type headaches can be the result. This is but one example of how an injury to the body can manifest itself as painful headaches.

Holistic approaches assist with pain relief and headache prevention. Some examples of therapeutic bodywork modalities that I utilize to alleviate headaches are:

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) – this is a light touch technique that works with the central nervous system.  CST helps to balance the body and release restrictions in the nervous system.

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT) – this is a light touch technique that works with the lymphatic system.  LDT helps move toxins out of the body.  This technique is especially useful in clearing the metabolic byproducts of medications frequently prescribed for headaches.

Massage – this technique addresses the muscular tension associated with headache onsets.  Massage is a very powerful stress reduction tool.

Reiki – this is a hands-on energy treatment technique.  Reiki energy is used to assist your body’s natural healing process.

As parents we leave no stone unturned in our efforts to solve the mystery of our children’s issues. It has been my experience of almost thirty years that a combination of modalities is often the most effective way to help the body heal.  Recently, I saw a seven year old who was having ongoing headaches, had a facial tic and always had a sore throat.  During the session we discussed some of the child’s past traumas and injuries.  When we got to the description of his birth his mother said he was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.  I choose to utilize both CranioSacral and Lymphatic Drainage Therapies to release the long held restrictions.  When he came back for his next session both the child and the mother reported he not had another headache, his facial tic was mostly gone and his throat was not sore anymore.  Pretty awesome!

Please feel free to call with any questions.  I would be delighted to discuss your child’s symptoms to determine if these modalities would assist your child being pain-free.

-- Cynthia Mattingly, OTR/L, CEAS, NCTMB, RMT, CCIP

Pediatric Wellness Initiative