When your neck is the hidden source
Understanding headaches: cervicogenic, tension, and migraines
There are many different types of headaches, but on this page we cover those that are arising from the neck, or can be associated with neck issues.
Headaches come in many forms, but three types—cervicogenic headaches, tension headaches, and migraines—are especially common and can often be helped with chiropractic care. At Acomb Chiropractic Clinic, we believe that understanding what’s behind your head pain is the first step toward lasting relief.
Let’s break down each type and explore how targeted chiropractic care could make a real difference.
Overview: Why headaches happen
Headaches can arise when pain signals fire in nerves, muscles, blood vessels, or joints around your skull and neck. Triggers range from muscle tightness and joint restriction to neurological changes in the brain. By identifying your headache type, we aim to tailor a treatment plan that addresses the root cause instead of just masking symptoms.
Cervicogenic headaches: Neck-origin pain
Cervicogenic headaches usually originate in the upper cervical spine. A restricted vertebra, irritated nerve root, or tight neck musculature can refer pain upward into your head. Common clues include:
- Pain starting at the back of your head or upper neck (may also refer into the frontal or temporal area of the head)
- One-sided head discomfort that worsens with certain neck movements
- Tenderness in neck joints and muscles. Chiropractic manipulations aim to restore proper joint motion in your cervical spine, while soft-tissue therapies release trigger points that often fuel the pain referral.
Tension headaches: Muscle strain and stress
Tension headaches often feel like a tight band squeezing around your forehead. They result from sustained contraction of scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles—usually driven by poor posture, repetitive strain, or emotional stress. Key signs include:
- Dull, pressing pain on both sides of the head
- Mild to moderate intensity that can last hours to days
- Stiffness in your neck and upper shoulders. We combine gentle spinal manipulations with soft tissue therapies to ease muscular tension. Prescribed stretches and ergonomic training aimed to help you break the cycle of muscle overload.
Migraines: neurological storms
Migraines are more than “bad headaches.” They’re complex neurological events marked by throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, and can include nausea, light or sound sensitivity, and visual auras. Although their exact cause is multifactorial—genetic predisposition, vascular changes, and brain chemistry shifts—neck dysfunction may trigger or amplify migraine episodes. Our approach focuses on:
- Reducing cervical spine irritation that may set off migraine pathways
- Spinal manipulations to reduce cervical restriction and soft tissue therapies to ease muscular tension
- Teaching relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system
Migraines are not always associated or caused by neck problems. This is why a complete and thorough examination is important to determine if chiropractic can help with your headaches.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
This is the joint in the jaw; you have one either side and sometimes dysfunction and pain from here can also trigger referred headaches. This is also often an issue that we as chiropractors can often help with.
Gentle manipulation of the TMJ and working the surrounding associated musculature of the jaw can often provide significant relief.
How chiropractic care helps
Chiropractic is not a one-size-fits-all fix; it’s a treatment customised to the individual:
- Spinal manipulations: Targeted, low-force thrusts aim to correct restrictions and improve joint function.
- Soft-tissue therapy: Trigger point therapy, vibration massage, and soft tissue stretching to loosen knots and boost circulation.
- Rehabilitative exercises: Specific stretches and strengthening programs that reinforce proper posture and muscular balance.
- Lifestyle & ergonomic guidance: Personalised advice on workstation setup, sleep posture, and stress-management strategies.
By addressing spinal mechanics, muscle health, and daily habits, we work to help break the pain cycle and reduce headache frequency and intensity.
Self-care and prevention
Between visits, these habits may keep headaches at bay:
- Ergonomic checks: Raise your screen to eye level and keep your shoulders relaxed.
- Movement breaks: Stand, stretch, and gently rotate your neck every 30 minutes.
- Stress relief: Practice deep-breathing, mindfulness, or short walks to release tension.
- Hydration & nutrition: Aim for two litres of water daily and eat a healthy balanced diet.
- Sleep support: Choose a pillow that keeps your head aligned with your spine.
We hope to stop headaches from dominating your life. With targeted chiropractic care and focused self-management, you can reclaim clear, focused days and leave head pain behind.
Get in touch
We hope to stop headaches from dominating your life and at Acomb Chiropractic Clinic, we are committed to helping you if we can. If you suspect that your headache may be related to a neck issue or perhaps a jaw problem, we encourage you to contact us for a personalised consultation. Our experienced chiropractic team will conduct a thorough assessment, explain our findings and what we think is possible in clear terms. If appropriate, we will develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and goals, aiming to maximise your possible benefit.
Not all complaints are appropriate for chiropractic care: If we think we cannot help your complaint, or you require more investigations, we will do our best to support you in finding you another path forward.