Health News
In this issue
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Pain can affect everyone – it doesn’t discriminate
Most people will in fact experience an episode of severe pain at some point in their life. For example, for 20% of adults[1], this pain is persistent and associated with loss; loss of function, identity, in some cases mental health, and in many, loss of the life they had. Prevalence rates for Irish people suffering...
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Using physiotherapy for neck pain to help manage people with migraine
Physiotherapists commonly encounter people with migraine and neck pain. In fact, more than three quarters of people with migraine experience neck pain. This is due to anatomical connections between upper neck nerves, and nerves from the head and face. The physiotherapist will ask questions about your neck pain and migraine. Similarly. they will use hands-on...
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The benefits of a migraine diary from the migraine quick reference guide
Doctors often see headache disorders, with migraine being one of the most common. For this reason, it is estimated to cost the Irish economy €252 million a year[1]. A migraine diary can be hugely beneficial to patients and their healthcare providers. Dr Ruttledge, Dr Mary Kearney and Ms Esther Tomkins co-authored The ICGP Migraine Quick...
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The complexity of persistent pain
A focus on the importance of understanding your pain, with its impact on your life; and therefore the role of the physiotherapist in implementing coping strategies to help manage your pain. Everyone has an understanding of pain, which is usually based on our own experiences, the experiences of those close to us, as well as...
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Emotional impacts of life with chronic pain
Life with chronic pain can worsen our mental health; and in turn, poor mental health can worsen our perception of pain. “Chronic pain can impact every facet of everyday life resulting in low self-esteem and loss of meaning. Patients often question what this new life with chronic pain will look like. Research shows a high comorbidity...
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Your pharmacist should be your first port of call if you are in pain
The importance of pharmacists working with patients, doctors and hospital pain teams to ensure the most suitable pain care treatment pathway. Pharmacists have a central role in counselling and educating patients in pain management. When pain killers are taken correctly, they can provide a useful option for responsibly managing pain. Pharmacists are experts in medicines....
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Migraine isn’t a women’s only illness
“I’ve found that many people see migraine as a ‘female condition’. While it is more prevalent in women (8:1 ratio), men do suffer migraine and it has an equally debilitating effect on our lives. Some individuals have even said quite disapproving things to me about it, basically questioning my manliness.” “There are friends in my...
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My migraines turned out to be genetic
“I’ve suffered ‘headaches’ since I was about three years old. I used to complain to my mother about pains in the back of my head. It was alarming for her since I was so young and, being adopted, I had no family medical history to work with.” “In my early 20s, I contacted my birth...
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I use yoga and breathing techniques to tackle my migraines
“Fear, panic, nausea, numbness and throbbing pain. For me: what my first migraine felt like.” “It took me a long time to understand the connection between the mind and the body, and how it can help me deal with my migraines. I’ve battled with intense anxiety for most of my life, but I’ve learned to...