From Tension to Clarity: How Our Team Treats Headaches and Migraines

How Osteopathy Supports Headache and Migraine Relief

Osteopathy works to restore balance in the body by improving movement, reducing strain, and calming the nervous system. Through gentle, targeted hands-on techniques, we aim to release tension through the neck, shoulders, jaw, and upper back,  key areas that often refer pain into the head.

Each practitioner at The Body Project brings unique expertise to headache and migraine care:

• Emily provides craniosacral and cranial osteopathy, using subtle techniques to ease deep tension and regulate the body’s stress and pain responses.

• Fiona focuses on jaw and TMJ-related pain, a frequent but overlooked source of headaches and facial discomfort.

• Christian takes a structural and functional osteopathic approach, improving posture, spinal mobility, and stability through the neck and shoulders — especially important for clients with joint hypermobility who may experience frequent muscle overuse and mechanical strain.

• Luke offers exercise programming and movement retraining, helping clients build the strength and control necessary for long-term relief — particularly for those with hypermobility or postural instability.

• Debbie, our naturopath, supports clients from the inside out, offering advice on nutrition, hydration, and supplementation (such as magnesium and B vitamins) that can help reduce headache frequency and intensity.

Together, our team addresses the mechanical, neurological, and lifestyle factors that contribute to headaches, creating a comprehensive and sustainable plan for recovery.

Common Patterns We See

Many clients share similar underlying patterns, tight neck and shoulder muscles, restricted spinal movement, jaw tension, and stress-related bracing. For those with hypermobility, the picture can be more complex: ligaments may be more lax, requiring muscles to work harder to stabilise the joints, which can lead to persistent tension, fatigue, and headaches.

Our goal is to improve how your body supports itself, releasing what’s tight, strengthening what’s underactive, and restoring balance through movement and awareness.

Supporting Long-Term Change

While manual therapy provides valuable relief, lasting change comes from understanding and addressing the causes of recurring strain. We often combine treatment with postural strategies, gentle strengthening and breathing exercises, and advice tailored to your lifestyle.

Luke’s exercise guidance is key for building endurance and neck stability, while Debbie’s nutritional support helps reduce inflammation and improve energy regulation. Together, these strategies not only manage symptoms but also build resilience over time.

When to Seek Help

It’s important to seek professional assessment if headaches are becoming more frequent or changing in character, or if they’re accompanied by dizziness, nausea, or vision changes. Osteopaths are trained to identify when further medical investigation or referral is necessary.

The Takeaway

Headaches and migraines can be complex, but they often respond well to an integrated, whole-body approach. At The Body Project in Chatswood, our osteopaths and naturopath work together to address every aspect — from neck and jaw tension to hypermobility, posture, nutrition, and stress. Whether you’re seeking gentle cranial therapy, structural treatment, movement retraining, or nutritional support, we’ll help you find a lasting path toward relief and clarity.