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I’m Laurens Holve, an osteopath and acupuncturist with over 35 years experience treating migraines with osteopathy in London and Woking, and in clinics around the world.
For more information about me, including professional qualifications and experience, see my about me page.
Booking an appointment is quick and easy online, but I am also always happy to discuss your symptoms and treatment options, and give you support and advice with no obligation. Contact me
Treatment for migraines is available at our London Highgate Clinic and Woking Clinic
Booking is simple using the online system. For all other enquiries please don’t hesitate to contact me.
You may also like to see my frequently asked questions.
Treatment is covered by many major health insurers. Please check your policy.
Osteopathy is a hands-on physical therapy that uses techniques such as spinal and joint manipulation and mobilisation, soft tissue techniques and stretching. Many osteopaths also use dry needling, known as Western acupuncture, and I use traditional acupuncture also.
Osteopaths train for a minimum of 4 years and complete a minimum amount of Continuing Professional Development each year. Osteopathy is recognised by the NHS and one of the 14 Allied Health Professions. Osteopaths are registered and regulated in the UK by the General Osteopathic Council.
Osteopathy and acupuncture do not use drugs and are considered to be conservative, pain-free treatments. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Osteopathy is a major medical intervention in helping to reduce migraine triggers, by working on the musculature and helping joint movement in the neck, helps markedly reduce the incidence of migraines. Patients often report an immediate improvement in symptoms such as duration or symptoms or intensity of attack
There are many osteopathic techniques that are used, but the main thrust of osteopathy is to reduce joint restrictions, so a combination of soft tissue techniques are used along with joint mobilisation, where the spinal joints are put through a range of motion. An Osteopathic manipulative technique called a high velocity thrust (HVT), can also be used where a quick thrust is applied to the spinal joint and sometimes a crack or a pop is heard accompanying this.
Cranial Osteopathy is a more controversial area of treatment where it is purported very fine “adjustments” are made via the skull to influence pressure and the flow of cerebro spinal fluid within the brain, but there is very little evidence of consistent results.
Much more consistent and reliable tools to help are Acupuncture and Trigger Point treatment (often called Dry Needling), which certainly can reliably favour a good outcome in migraine treatment.
If you’re suffering from headaches and migraines there are range of simple self-help techniques you can use to relieve your symptoms. In these two videos I look at lifestyle changes and acupressure techniques which can help you.
If you suffer from migraines you’re far from alone. Migraines are estimated to affect more than 1 in 10 people worldwide. They occur most often in people aged 20 to 50 years, and are about 3 times more common in women than in men.
If you suffer from migraines you’ll know just how incredibly disruptive to daily life, causing intense pain and a range of other symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and even temporary vision loss.
Despite their prevalence, migraines remain somewhat of a mystery in the medical world. Why do some individuals experience chronic migraines while others rarely get them? What causes these excruciating headaches to occur in the first place? Although there are many unanswered questions, effective treatment is available.
Migraines can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
In addition to these triggers, certain risk factors may make individuals more prone to developing migraines. These include:
Understanding these triggers and risk factors is crucial for managing migraine headaches effectively. By identifying personal triggers and avoiding them whenever possible, individuals may be able to reduce the frequency and severity of their migraine episodes.
Migraines are more than just headaches; they often come with a host of physical symptoms that can be debilitating. Here’s an overview of what happens in the body during a migraine attack:
Understanding these physical symptoms is crucial in managing migraines effectively. By recognizing these signs, individuals can take steps towards finding relief through medical interventions and lifestyle changes that minimize triggers and promote well-being.
This is the most common type of migraine, characterized by moderate to severe headaches that are usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
In this type, individuals experience visual disturbances called “auras” before or during the headache phase. These auras can manifest as flashing lights, blind spots, or zigzag lines.
Chronic migraines occur when an individual experiences a headache on 15 or more days per month for at least three months. The headaches must meet the criteria for migraine characteristics.
Migraine attacks are believed to be driven by complex neurological processes within the brain. These processes involve various areas and structures, including the trigeminal nerve, hypothalamus, and brainstem.
These interconnected neurological processes create a cascade of events that result in debilitating headaches experienced by individuals with migraines. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies that target specific components of migraine pathophysiology.
Migraine auras are temporary sensory disturbances that can occur before or during a migraine attack. These visual disturbances often manifest as flickering lights, zigzag lines, or blind spots in the field of vision. Some people also report sensations like tingling or numbness in their limbs, difficulty speaking, or even hallucinations.
The exact cause of migraines with aura is not fully understood. However, researchers believe that these sensory disruptions may be caused by changes in electrical activity within the brain. It’s important to note that not everyone experiences aura symptoms – they are estimated to affect around 25% of migraine sufferers.
Here are some common characteristics and experiences reported by individuals who experience migraine auras:
If you experience any of these symptoms before or during your migraines, it’s essential to speak with your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options tailored to your needs.
By identifying your individual migraine triggers and understanding the various risk factors involved in these attacks; you can take steps towards managing your condition more efficiently
• Recognizing and avoiding triggers like certain foods, stress, or lack of sleep may help prevent future migraines.
• Maintaining a regular sleep schedule with consistent wake-up times is crucial in managing migraines effectively.
• Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.
Genetic factors play a crucial role in the development and occurrence of migraines. Researchers have identified specific genes that are associated with an increased risk of migraines.
For those who have a parent or close relative with migraines, their chances of experiencing migraines are significantly higher compared to individuals without a family history. This suggests that there is an inherited aspect to this condition. However, it’s important to note that genetics alone do not determine whether someone will develop migraines.
In conclusion, while genetic factors may predispose certain individuals to experience migraines, they are not the sole determining factor. Understanding these inherited aspects can provide valuable insights into preventing and managing migraine attacks. It highlights the importance of considering both genetic and environmental factors when exploring treatment options for people living with this debilitating condition.
Jane, a homeworker in her mid forties, has a job which entails her having to look for extended times at her computer.
She complained of head pains which seemed to come from the back of her neck. She often felt dizzy and nauseas just before her throbbing pain started, and at times had to take time off work as she just couldn’t manage it.
She had a young family to take care of and was starting to feel she couldn’t cope.
She was on medication amitriptyline, co-codamol which left her feeling tired and exhausted.
Her GP had referred her for Physiotherapy which had not helped, and she had tried Osteopathy and Chiropractic with minimal impact.
She consulted me in desperation and as a last hope to see with a combination of treatments whether I could help.
I treated her neck and used dry needling in both her neck musculature and around the top of her shoulders. I also used some Osteopathic techniques to help mobilise her neck.
The following week when she returned for her second treatment, she told me her neck felt a lot looser and there was an immediate improvement in the intensity of her pain. Treatment continued for a couple more weeks after which she was able to reduce her medication.
Within two months all her symptoms had abated, and for the past six months has not had a recurrence.
Mrs. B, a 53-year-old translator I have seen over a number of years mainly for low back pain.
In 2019 she suffered a fall from her horse after which she developed frontal headaches and then from 2021 this had transformed into migraine type pattern headaches.
She had right sided neck restriction and muscle spasm as well as deep contraction in her trapezius muscle as well. All probably the result of her fall from the horse.
Like all migraine sufferers, she was finding it difficult to work , look after her family, as once a week she had to avoid bright lights. She was on heavy medication during attacks which made her very drowsy.
I used osteopathic treatment on her back and neck for the first treatment. She reported an immediate improvement in her neck movement and pain reduction.
The second treatment I started using dry needling around her trapezius muscle and some generalised Acupuncture. After 4 sessions there was a marked reduction in her symptoms, she was able to stop all medication, and she now visits every two months or so where I add some treatment to give her long lasting relief to her migraines and so she doesn’t have to take medication or take time off work.
By sharing these real-life success stories, we hope to inspire others suffering from migraines to consider trigger point acupuncture as a potential solution for finding lasting relief. Each individual’s experience may vary; however, these cases showcase how this holistic approach can lead to significant improvements in quality of life when it comes to managing migraines.
In this video I demonstrate simple acupressure points that you can use to relieve your headache or migraine. See below for a handy visual reference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wimixYaryHA If you’re suffering
In this video I explain simple measures you can take to relieve your migraine or headache. For handy reference you can also download the information in this video as
Types of Headaches Before exploring the potential benefits of osteopathy and acupuncture for headaches, it is crucial to first understand the different types of headaches and their causes. Headaches
You might also like to see our migraines osteopath page. Acupuncture is an ancient healing practice that has gained significant recognition and popularity in recent years. Known for its
5 Simple Ways on How To Help Your Headache Headaches can be incredibly debilitating and can have a significant impact on our daily lives. Whether it’s a tension headache,
Introduction Trigger points causing headaches show themselves as tight knots to of muscle fibers that can form in various areas of the body, including the neck region. When
Have you seen an osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist before and did you get the results you needed? If not, you’re now in the hands of an expert. Read the reviews from all types of people including doctors, consultants, BBC presenters and more.
Migraine Trust – Impact of Migraine
National Migraine Centre – What is Migraine?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders migraine information
Mayo Clinic migraine page (includes video)
Living with migraines blog post
North West London ICS resources
Stroke association – understanding migraine and stroke
Brain Research UK migraine page
The information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Laurens Holve BSc., Osteopath.