Is your Headache coming from your neck? What Maylands Locals NEED to Know!
Most people reach for pain relief at the first sign of a headache. That works in the short term - but if your headaches keep coming back, the problem may not be in your head at all.
A large proportion of recurring headaches are driven by issues in the neck and upper spine. Understanding what type of headache you're dealing with is the first step toward managing it more effectively.
The Three Types of Headache a Chiropractor Can Help With
1. Cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic headache (CGH) originates from the cervical spine; the joints, muscles, and nerves in your neck. The pain typically starts at the back of the head or neck and radiates forward, often affecting one side. It can feel like pressure, a dull ache, or a sharp pain behind the eye.
Common triggers include sustained postures, looking over your shoulder, or waking stiff after sleep. People who sit at desks for long periods, work with screens at awkward angles, or have had a previous whiplash injury are particularly prone to this type.
Chiropractic spinal manipulation is specifically recommended for cervicogenic headache in current clinical practice guidelines, with joint mobilisation and targeted neck exercises also supported as part of a broader management approach.
2. Tension-Type Headache
Tension-type headaches feel like a band of pressure wrapped around the head. They're often bilateral (both sides), don't usually cause nausea, and tend to build throughout the day. Stress, posture, and muscle tension in the upper back and neck are common contributors.
For tension-type headaches, current evidence supports spinal manipulation as part of a multimodal care plan — meaning it works best alongside soft tissue work, exercise, and addressing the lifestyle factors driving the problem.
3. Migraine
Migraines are a neurological condition and are more complex than the headaches above. They often come with light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and visual disturbances. Research suggests chiropractic care may have a supportive role in migraine management — particularly when cervical spine dysfunction appears to be a contributing factor — but migraines require a thorough assessment to identify the right approach for each person.
How Do You Know If Your Neck Is the Problem?
Some signs your headache may have a cervical component:
It starts at the base of your skull or neck and works forward
Neck movement or sustained posture reliably triggers or worsens it
You wake up with it
One side of your head is consistently more affected
You also have neck stiffness or restricted range of motion
A thorough history and physical examination is the starting point for figuring out what's driving your headaches. At Maylands Healthcare Hub, we assess the cervical spine, upper back, and relevant muscles to identify whether there's a structural or movement-related component — and whether chiropractic care is the right fit, or whether another pathway makes more sense.
What Does Chiropractic Assessment and Care Involve?
A chiropractic assessment for headaches typically includes:
A detailed history of your headache pattern, frequency, and triggers
Screening for any red flags that require medical referral
Examination of your cervical spine mobility and joint function
Assessment of posture and upper back movement
Neurological screening where indicated
From there, care may involve spinal manipulation or mobilisation of the cervical and thoracic spine, soft tissue work to address muscle tension, postural and exercise advice, and guidance on load management and lifestyle factors relevant to your headaches.
We work to give you a clear picture of what's contributing to your headaches and an honest assessment of how chiropractic care may help — and where the limits of that are.
When to present to a Hospital - Warning Signs!
Some headaches require urgent medical attention. See a doctor or emergency department promptly if your headache:
Comes on suddenly and severely ("thunderclap headache")
Is accompanied by fever, neck stiffness, or rash
Follows a head injury
Is associated with neurological symptoms such as weakness, slurred speech, or vision changes
Is progressively worsening with no clear pattern
These presentations need medical assessment before any manual therapy is considered.
Getting Help in Maylands
If you're dealing with recurring headaches and haven't had your neck properly assessed, it's worth finding out whether there's a mechanical component that can be addressed.
Maylands Healthcare Hub is located at C1/293 Guildford Rd, Maylands. We offer chiropractic care alongside women's health physiotherapy and clinical Pilates — so if your headaches are part of a bigger picture involving stress, posture, or overall physical health, we can look at that too.
Book an appointment online or call us to discuss whether chiropractic care is the right starting point for you.
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are concerned about your symptoms, please consult a qualified health professional.
