How 'Beckham tape' can help you beat headaches: More than 10 million of us suffer from the pain

The adhesive support situated on Eloise's neck

Could simple things like elastic tape, put on the rear of the neck, be very effective treatments for severe head aches? Based on the 2,000 approximately British osteopaths promoting the strategy, referred to as Kinesio tape, the reply is a convincing yes.

Elasticated tape has been utilized for many years to supply joint support to hurt sports athletes, including David Beckham, who's frequently seen sporting the vibrantly coloured tape. Now experts believe with such adhesive support items may also reduce mind discomfort – by rethinking muscles under stress and thus reducing tension within the neck.

Based on Headache United kingdom, greater than tens of millions of British people are afflicted by mind discomfort. Migraine, probably the most severe headache, will affect about 25 percent of ladies and as much as 15 percent of males.

Over-the-counter medication may provide short-term relief, though lengthy-term reliance upon pain relievers can really exacerbate health issues.

London-based osteopath Stephen Sacks, who charges ?65 for any 30-minute Kinesio treatment, thinks the tape – used along with other remedies for example osteopathy and acupuncture – is extremely advantageous on patients struggling with tension head aches.

‘About 60 percent of my patients are afflicted by lengthy-standing cervicogenic head aches, where tension comes from the spinal vertebrae from the neck before winding up behind your eyes or back from the mind,’ he states. ‘These tension head aches could be triggered by everything from bad posture in a monitor to reactions to strong smells, food, sunlight or tooth discomfort.

‘Kinesio tape helps you to reposition the mind, enhancing posture and reducing tension.’

Before using the tape, an osteopath will press lightly on the patient’s shoulder and neck muscles before the sufferer can pinpoint the specific area is triggering the discomfort.

Misaligned joints within the spine, another standard reason for head aches, will also be checked for by searching for restricted movement within the neck. Many people struggling with a cervicogenic headache will easily notice should they have this kind, states Dr Sacks, simply because they intuitively rub the rear of the neck or mind.

The tape is used after osteopathic massage and acupuncture, that really help to unwind the muscles within the neck. Dr Sacks states: ‘I stretch the tape over the affected region to aid the mind and take pressure from the affected muscles, permitting these to heal. Six from ten patients find this effective and frequently feel good before they leave my clinic – and definitely in a day.’

Dr Stephen Sacks goodies Eloise Hanna

Kinesio tape, which comes from the science of Kinesiology, study regarding human movement, was created in Japan 3 decades ago by Dr Kenzo Kase. The tape is made of elastic strand covered with cotton fibres, which causes it to be comfortable, breathable and waterproof.

Eloise Hanna, 28, was treated by Dr Sacks after having suffered repeated, severe head aches. She states the therapy has changed her existence. ‘I act as a nanny, which entails bending, lifting and repetitive actions for example draining the dishwasher,’ she states. ‘I’m constantly on my small ft and lean forward when lifting or holding onto the kids. This accustomed to cause severe head aches, which survived the majority of the day and in to the evening, departing me without any energy within the nights.

‘I was surprised when Dr Sacks recommended Kinesio tape, however it had an instantaneous effect and today I rarely suffer – so when I actually do, they’re not as bad. The therapy has changed my existence – my morning is way simpler and that i venture out within the nights.’

Dr Mark Weatherall, an advisor specialist at Charing Mix Hospital, recommends caution, however, saying: ‘I’m sure many people obtain a good response in the treatment, however the underlying reasons for head aches are more complicated than imbalance from the neck or poor posture.’