Scottish dentist joins forces with physiotherapist to help tackle migraines
A dentist and physiotherapist from Scotland have teamed up to help people with migraines.
Migraines affect one in seven people in Scotland and many people suffer from serious symptoms, which often cannot be eased by traditional methods or over the counter medications. Now Dr Biju Krishnan, a dentist and Kirsten Lord, a physiotherapist, have developed a new treatment, which helps to relax the muscles and provides an alternative to taking pills.
The new treatment has been designed to relax the muscles in the head, which will then release the trapped nerve, which is responsible for causing pain and symptoms of a migraine.
In many cases, migraines are caused by teeth grinding, stress and clenching the jaw, which is commonly caused by severe anxiety. The new treatment can help to release tension in the muscles; dental treatment can also be used to reduce teeth grinding and ease symptoms associated with teeth grinding, including headaches and jaw pain. For patients who grind their teeth on a regular basis, a very discreet splint can be fitted to prevent the surfaces of the teeth rubbing together.
Kirsten Lord said that the new treatment had been developed to help people who suffered severe symptoms, which could not be treated by over the counter medications, as well as those who could not take medication, including pregnant women. She went on to say that the treatment is tailored to the individual’s needs and treat the muscles which are causing the migraine; most people do not realise that their migraine is caused by problems with their teeth, jaw joint and facial muscles. The treatment consists of a combination of physiotherapy massage and muscle work, as well as dental treatment.
Dr Krishnan said that studies had revealed that dental work had reduced the incidence of migraines by up to 75 percent. Margaret Bashforth, a patient who has had the treatment, said that it had made a huge difference to her life. She used to suffer severe pain in her head and tension in the facial muscles and is now pain-free thanks to physiotherapy and dental treatment to fit a aplint, which has stopped her grinding her teeth.
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