Headaches
Headaches can range from a mild annoyance to something that derails your entire day. If you have been dealing with recurring headaches — whether it is a band of pressure across your forehead, a deep ache at the base of your skull, or pain behind one eye — it is worth understanding where they might be coming from. Not all headaches are the same, and the approach that helps depends on what is driving them.
Types of Headaches
There are many different types of headache, and they do not all have the same cause or respond to the same treatment. A few of the most common types include:
- Cervicogenic headaches — these originate from dysfunction in the cervical spine (the joints, muscles, and nerves of the neck) and are the type most directly relevant to chiropractic care. They often present as one-sided pain that starts at the back of the head or base of the skull and may wrap forward to the temples, forehead, or behind the eye
- Tension-type headaches — the most common type overall, typically felt as a band-like pressure on both sides of the head. These are often associated with muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, and cervical dysfunction may be a contributing factor in some cases
- Migraines — a neurological condition with distinct features such as throbbing pain (often one-sided), sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and sometimes visual aura. Migraines require their own management pathways — typically through your GP or a neurologist — and chiropractic spinal manipulation is not indicated for migraine
The distinction matters because treatment that helps one type may not help another. A thorough assessment is the starting point for understanding which type you are dealing with — or whether more than one is at play.
How the Neck Contributes to Headaches
The upper cervical spine — particularly the top three vertebrae and the muscles that connect them to the skull — has a close anatomical relationship with the structures that produce head pain. When the joints in this area become stiff or restricted, or the surrounding muscles develop tension and trigger points, they can refer pain into the head in patterns that mimic or overlap with other headache types.
Signs that your headache may have a cervical component include:
- Headache that begins at the base of the skull or the back of the neck
- Pain that radiates forward — to the temples, forehead, or behind one eye
- Headache that comes on or worsens after prolonged postures (desk work, driving, reading)
- Neck stiffness or a sense of restricted movement alongside the headache
- Headache that eases with changes in position, movement, or rest
- Tenderness at the base of the skull or along the upper neck when pressed
- Headaches that tend to occur on the same side
If several of these apply to you, it may be worth having your cervical spine assessed to determine whether a cervicogenic component is present.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
Evidence supports the use of manual therapy, combined with targeted exercise and patient education, for the management of cervicogenic headaches. Research also suggests that manual therapy may be helpful as part of a broader approach for some tension-type headaches, though the evidence is less strong.
If assessment confirms that your neck is contributing to your headaches, care may include:
- Cervical joint mobilisation — graded, low-force techniques to restore movement in restricted segments of the upper neck. This is often where the most direct impact on headache patterns occurs
- Upper thoracic treatment — stiffness in the upper back can alter how the neck moves and functions, contributing to cervical strain. Treating the upper back often helps address the bigger picture
- Soft tissue therapy — hands-on work targeting trigger points and tension in the suboccipital muscles (at the base of the skull), upper trapezius, and deep cervical musculature. These are common sources of referred head pain
- Postural and ergonomic guidance — practical changes to your work setup, screen position, or daily habits that may reduce the mechanical load on your neck and decrease headache triggers
- Home exercises — specific stretches and strengthening exercises for the deep neck flexors and cervical stabilisers. These help support the gains made in treatment and can reduce recurrence over time
It is important to be clear about the scope of chiropractic care here: not all headaches are cervicogenic, and not all will respond to manual therapy. Chiropractic spinal manipulation is not indicated for migraine. If our assessment suggests your headaches are primarily migrainous, or if there are features that warrant further investigation, we will refer you to your GP or a neurologist. Getting the right diagnosis is more important than any single treatment approach.
Tracking Your Headaches
If you experience frequent headaches, keeping a brief record can be genuinely useful — both for your own understanding and for helping us identify patterns. Things worth noting include:
- When the headache started and how long it lasted
- Where in your head you felt the pain
- What you were doing beforehand (desk work, driving, exercise, poor sleep)
- Whether anything made it better or worse
- Any associated symptoms (nausea, light sensitivity, neck stiffness)
Even a week or two of this kind of tracking can reveal patterns that are not obvious when you are in the middle of the pain. You do not need anything formal — notes on your phone are fine.
When to Seek Urgent Care
Most headaches, while unpleasant, are not dangerous. However, some headache patterns require prompt medical attention. Please seek urgent care or call 000 if you experience:
- A sudden, severe headache that comes on like a thunderclap — unlike anything you have experienced before
- Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light (possible signs of meningitis)
- Headache with visual disturbances, confusion, difficulty speaking, or weakness on one side of the body
- Headache following a head injury or fall
- A new or different headache pattern in someone over 50
If you are unsure whether your headaches are appropriate for chiropractic care, you are welcome to get in touch and we can help guide you to the right starting point.