Persistent headaches can feel like a mystery with no clear solution. But sometimes, relief comes from looking beyond the usual suspects.

In this blog, we share the story of Mr. A.U., a dedicated consulting engineer and volunteer CFA firefighter, who found life-changing relief from ongoing headaches after turning to osteopathic care.

A Sudden Onset of Pain

After being exposed to intense bushfire conditions in January, Mr. A.U. began experiencing severe headaches, rating 8 out of 10 in intensity. These weren’t ordinary headaches—they worsened with simple movements like coughing, sneezing, or looking down. Painkillers provided temporary relief, but the pain kept returning.

Then, an unfortunate accident made things worse. He accidentally stepped on a rake, which swung up and struck him just above the eyebrow. This blow added another layer of discomfort, and his headaches became even more difficult to manage.

No Clear Medical Cause

Despite seeing multiple health professionals—including a GP, dentist, and ENT specialist—there was no clear diagnosis. Mild sinus congestion and stress-related teeth grinding were noted, but they didn’t fully explain the ongoing pain.

With work responsibilities piling up and everyday life becoming harder to manage, Mr. A.U. began considering other possibilities. He noticed a link between his symptoms and neck tension, and began exploring physical therapy. However, he was hesitant about undergoing aggressive treatment and sought a gentler alternative.

A New Approach: Osteopathy

Mr. A.U. reached out to our clinic, drawn by osteopathy’s holistic and non-invasive approach. Our initial assessment took into account his entire experience—from the bushfire exposure and sinus findings to the impact of the rake incident.

What we found was subtle but significant: tension in the sternocleidomastoid muscles, key neck muscles often overlooked. These muscles were behaving as if he’d experienced whiplash, pulling on the scalp and contributing to his headaches.

Using gentle techniques, we focused on releasing tension in the neck, shoulders, and jaw, while also applying decompression techniques to the cervical spine. The goal was to restore balance and mobility, easing pressure contributing to the headaches.

A Turnaround in Just Weeks

The results were encouraging from the start. After just a few sessions, Mr. A.U. reported his pain dropping from an 8 to a 5 or 6. With continued treatment, the headaches became less frequent and far less intense—eventually falling to just 1 or 2 out of 10, with no need for pain medication.

Most importantly, he was able to return to the things he loved, including a well-earned trip to Europe—something that would’ve felt impossible just weeks prior.

The Power of Looking Deeper

What makes this case stand out isn’t just the recovery—it’s the reminder that persistent pain often has more than one contributing factor. For Mr. A.U., treating muscle tension in the neck and jaw turned out to be the missing piece of the puzzle.

At Geoffrey Fong Osteopathic Services, we believe in treating the whole person—not just the symptom. While every case is unique, if you’re struggling with ongoing headaches or pain that hasn’t responded to conventional care, osteopathy may offer a new path forward.

Ready to explore a gentler, more holistic approach to pain? Get in touch with us to see how we can help.