Conditions we treat
Getting to the bottom of headaches that keep coming back
Not every headache has the same cause, which is why we spend time working out what’s driving yours before we treat anything.
Headaches are a huge and varied category, from tension-type headaches after a stressful week to migraines that put you in a dark room for a day. Chiropractic care doesn’t help with every type, and we say that upfront, but a meaningful proportion of recurring headaches are linked to the neck, and those often respond well to hands-on treatment.
Our job is to work out where yours sits. That means asking about triggers, frequency, associated symptoms and history, and physically examining how your neck and upper back move, before suggesting a plan. If your headache pattern looks like it needs medical work-up rather than Chiropractic care, we’ll tell you and refer accordingly.
For headaches that do have a neck-related component, often called cervicogenic headaches, treating the neck itself can make a genuine difference to frequency and intensity.
Common signs & symptoms
- A dull, band-like pressure around the head or across the forehead
- One-sided headaches that start at the back of the head or neck
- Headaches that worsen with prolonged desk work or screen time
- Tightness across the shoulders and base of the skull alongside the headache
- Migraines with visual disturbance, nausea or sensitivity to light and sound
- Headaches that seem tied to poor sleep or stress
- A pattern of headaches becoming more frequent over recent months
What causes headaches?
Neck joint dysfunction — stiff upper cervical joints can refer pain into the head via shared nerve pathways
Muscle tension — tight muscles at the base of the skull and across the shoulders are a common trigger
Screen and desk posture — a forward head position increases load on the upper neck over the course of a day ([work injuries](/conditions/work-injuries/))
Poor sleep and dehydration — both are well-recognised headache triggers
often overlooked
Migraine — a distinct neurological condition with its own triggers
which may coexist with neck-related headaches
How we help at IA Chiropractic
We start with a detailed history to understand your headache pattern, then examine your neck and upper back for the joint stiffness and muscle tension that commonly contribute to cervicogenic headaches.
Where the neck is a contributing factor, treatment typically includes Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy to reduce referred tension, alongside practical changes to posture and screen habits.
If your pattern suggests migraine or another primary headache disorder, we’ll be upfront about what Chiropractic care can realistically offer and refer you appropriately for medical management.