Help for Headaches in Horses and Humans

CranioSacral Therapy to help with headaches in the horse and the rider.

Just like their riders, many horses suffer from chronic headaches. Horses often sustain repeated blunt force trauma to the skull. Risks for these traumas can be found in nearly every barn and pasture. Horses strike their heads frequently: rearing in a trailer or in a barn often means blunt force trauma to the horse’s head. By merely raising his head from underneath a fence rail or a feed bucket the horse can sustain an injury. 

Over the years I have also seen a number of young horses that sustained facial and skull injuries from being kicked in the face. One injury was so severe that the horse looked like two different horses in profile; on one side he looked like an Arabian with a classically “dished” face, and on the other side, he looked like a warmblood with very straight frontal bones.

Often times these injuries go unnoticed or unaddressed. After all, what are you going to do, place an ice pack on your horse’s head? Probably not, but it is important to realize that these injuries can be cumulative and can ultimately reach a point of critical mass where the horse’s behavior changes radically.

Some horses become head shy, while others may develop habits like grinding teeth, TMJD (temporal mandibular joint dysfunction) and some will develop head shakers syndrome. Each of these behaviors can have a number of causes, and treatment protocols will depend on the exact nature of the horse’s condition. Always consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

 Remington - A Case Study

I met Diane at a horse expo. She had a young gelding named Remington that she had raised from a foal.  He had been kicked badly in the mouth as a weanling and had sustained several broken teeth. At the time of the injury, Diane called in a very capable equine dentist who worked on the young horse and corrected what could be addressed. The horse received consistent specialized dental care throughout his young life. 

Remington started under saddle and training went well for a period of time. Gradually though, Diane noticed that there were days when Remington did not seem to be himself. He became erratic in his behavior and would take control of the bridle and bolt with his rider. This did not happen every time Diane rode, but over time the incidences became more frequent and more violent.  Diane sustained several serious injuries and began to worry about what was wrong with her horse. Diane’s husband urged her to get rid of the horse if no resolution could be found.

 CranioSacral Therapy (CST)

Diane was frustrated and desperate for a solution. She had recently begun to have CranioSacral Therapy (CST) on herself and was looking for an equine CST practitioner when we met at the expo.  I came out to her farm and observed Remington. He was a large bodied horse—a Quarter Horse / Belgian cross—and it was obvious that he was in great pain.

Using CranioSacral techniques, I was able to locate a number of sutural and soft tissue restrictions throughout Remington’s skull and body. Initially, he resisted even the gentlest touch because of his severe and longstanding pain.  Gradually, we were able to get some tissue release that provided the horse with pain relief. As Remington got relief from his head pain, he became willing to participate in the CST sessions. His whole demeanor changed as he began to improve; he even started to look different. His facial expressions changed from looking very tight and drawn to be more soft and relaxed. At the end of a series of CST sessions, Remington’s pain had decreased to the point where he was safe to ride, and he returned to working as a saddle horse. He continues to receive CST to maintain his comfort and well-being.

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the CranioSacral System, comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including, but not limited to:

  • Migraine headaches
  • Chronic neck and back pain
  • Central Nervous System disorders
  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
  • Stress and tension-related problems
  • Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)

Common Types of Headaches

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Many riders also have chronic headaches. These can be the result of a number of causes ranging from stress and tension to allergies, to post-concussion syndrome. Over the years, I have found that CST is extremely effective in addressing chronic headaches of all types. I have worked with riders who have suffered headaches due to multiple concussions and migraines. CST provided relief in every case! And I can attest to the benefits of CST not only as a practitioner but also as a client. 

Last January I sustained a very severe concussion in a fall. I had severe headaches and was unable to work for many weeks. My primary care provider referred me to a neurology clinic that had an 8-week waiting list. While I was “waiting,” I received intensive CST sessions. They were the only thing that got me out of my pain. I consider myself very fortunate to have known about CST as a treatment option because it made a tremendous difference for me. And I am extremely grateful that I can offer the benefits of CST to my equine and equestrian clients.

Please visit http://www.Upledger.com for more information on CranioSacral Therapy

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About Lisa Machala

Lisa Machala is a licensed massage therapist and the owner and operator of Michigan Equine Therapy. She specializes in fascial release and CranioSacral Therapy to help her clients and their horses feel and perform at their best. Lisa is the creator of Pain-Free Riding in 8 Weeks ®.  She is based in Michigan and travels nationally to work with her clients. Please visit www.MichiganEquineTherapy.com to learn more about her programs and services.