Headaches and migraines can interfere with work, sleep, exercise and everyday activities. While there are many possible causes, some headaches can be associated with tension in the neck and shoulders, restricted movement or other musculoskeletal factors.
This is where chiropractic care may have a role. A chiropractor can assess the neck, spine, joints and surrounding muscles to determine whether musculoskeletal factors could be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
It is important to remember that not every headache or migraine has a musculoskeletal cause. Headaches can have many different triggers, and persistent, severe or unusual symptoms should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
What Is the Difference Between a Headache and a Migraine?
Headaches are a broad category of pain that can occur in different parts of the head and vary in intensity and duration.
Tension-type headaches are commonly associated with a pressing or tightening sensation and may occur alongside tenderness or tension around the head, neck and shoulders.
Migraines are a neurological condition that can involve moderate to severe head pain as well as other symptoms such as nausea and increased sensitivity to light or sound. Some people also experience an aura involving temporary visual or sensory changes before or during a migraine.
Because headaches and migraines can have different causes and symptoms, identifying the type of headache you experience is an important part of determining appropriate care.
How Can a Chiropractor Help with Headaches?
A chiropractor can assess whether factors involving the neck and musculoskeletal system may be contributing to your symptoms.
During an assessment, our chiropractor may look at:
- Neck and upper-back movement
- Joint mobility
- Muscle tension
- Posture and movement patterns
- Previous injuries
- Activities that aggravate or relieve your symptoms
- Your general health and symptom history
Greater Western Health’s chiropractic consultation includes an initial consultation and physical assessment designed to understand your symptoms and how your lifestyle, work and daily activities may affect them.
If musculoskeletal factors appear relevant, treatment may involve approaches such as manual techniques, joint mobilisation, exercises, movement advice or other appropriate strategies.
Can Chiropractic Care Help with Tension Headaches?
Tension headaches may be associated with tightness or discomfort around the neck, shoulders and upper back. Prolonged sitting, repetitive activities, stress and sustained postures can also contribute to muscular tension.
A chiropractor can assess these areas and identify whether restricted movement or muscular tension may be contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment is individualised rather than based on a single technique. Depending on your assessment, your care may include hands-on treatment, mobility exercises, postural advice and recommendations for managing contributing factors between appointments.
What About Migraine?
A migraine is different from a tension headache and may involve neurological symptoms that require medical management.
Chiropractic care should not be considered a replacement for medical diagnosis or migraine treatment. However, if you experience migraines alongside neck discomfort, stiffness or other musculoskeletal symptoms, our chiropractor can assess whether these factors may be contributing to your overall presentation.
An appropriate assessment can also help determine whether chiropractic care is suitable or whether another healthcare professional should be involved.
What Happens During an Appointment?
Your first appointment is generally focused on understanding your symptoms and determining the most appropriate approach.
Our chiropractor may ask about:
Your headache history
You may be asked when your headaches started, how often they occur, how long they last and whether anything appears to trigger them.
Your neck and body
Our chiropractor may assess your neck and upper back, including movement, joint function and surrounding muscles.
Your lifestyle
Work habits, exercise, sleep, posture and daily activities can all provide useful information about factors that may influence your symptoms.
Previous injuries or treatment
Previous neck injuries, accidents or treatment can be relevant when assessing recurring headaches.
Following the assessment, our chiropractor can explain their findings and discuss whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate. If further investigation or referral is warranted, this can also be discussed.
What Chiropractic Treatment Might Involve
There is no single chiropractic treatment that is appropriate for everyone with headaches.
Depending on your individual assessment, treatment may include:
- Manual therapy
- Joint mobilisation
- Spinal techniques
- Soft tissue techniques
- Stretching and mobility exercises
- Postural advice
- Movement recommendations
- Home exercises
Greater Western Health takes an individualised approach to chiropractic care, with treatment plans tailored around a person’s symptoms, lifestyle and goals.
The aim is not simply to treat the location where you feel pain, but to understand the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
When Should You See a Doctor About a Headache?
Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every type of headache.
Seek urgent medical attention for a headache that is sudden and extremely severe, follows a significant injury, or occurs alongside concerning symptoms such as weakness, confusion, loss of consciousness, difficulty speaking or other sudden neurological changes.
You should also seek medical advice if your headaches are new, becoming progressively worse, unusually different from your typical headaches, or occurring frequently enough to interfere with your daily life.
If you are unsure whether chiropractic care is appropriate, our chiropractor can discuss your symptoms during an assessment and determine whether chiropractic treatment is suitable or whether another healthcare professional should be involved.
Managing Headache Triggers Between Appointments
Understanding what happens before a headache can help identify potential triggers.
Consider keeping track of:
- When headaches occur
- How long they last
- Sleep patterns
- Work and screen time
- Exercise
- Stress levels
- Food and fluid intake
- Neck or shoulder discomfort
- Activities or positions that make symptoms better or worse
This information can be useful when discussing recurring headaches with your healthcare professional or a chiropractor.
Simple changes to movement, posture, exercise and daily habits may also form part of a broader approach to managing musculoskeletal contributors to headache symptoms.
Choosing a Migraine Chiropractor
If you are looking for a migraine chiropractor, it is important to choose a practitioner who takes time to understand your symptoms rather than assuming every headache has the same cause.
An appropriate chiropractic assessment should consider your medical history, symptoms, physical function and any factors that could indicate the need for further medical assessment.
Greater Western Health chiropractors take a thorough approach to the initial consultation, considering symptoms alongside lifestyle, work and physical activity before developing an individualised treatment plan.
How Greater Western Health Can Help
If headaches or migraines are affecting your everyday life, Greater Western Health can assess whether musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to your symptoms.
Our chiropractic team provides personalised care focused on improving spinal movement and physical function, with clinics in Richmond and Kurrajong Village serving the Hawkesbury and surrounding areas.
Speak with our team to discuss your symptoms and find out whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor diagnose migraines?
A chiropractor can assess musculoskeletal factors associated with your symptoms, but migraine is a neurological condition that may require medical diagnosis and management. If your symptoms suggest another cause or require further investigation, you may be referred to an appropriate healthcare professional.
How do I know if my headache is coming from my neck?
Headaches associated with the neck may occur alongside neck pain, stiffness or restricted movement. However, symptoms can overlap between different types of headaches, so an assessment is needed to determine whether the neck may be contributing.
How often should I see a chiropractor for headaches?
There is no standard treatment schedule for headaches. The appropriate frequency depends on your symptoms, assessment findings, treatment response and individual goals. Our chiropractor can discuss a suitable plan after assessing you.
Can neck problems cause headaches?
Problems involving the neck can sometimes contribute to headache symptoms. Reduced neck movement, muscular tension and other musculoskeletal factors may be relevant in some people, which is why assessing the neck can be useful when headaches occur alongside neck symptoms.
Can chiropractic care prevent migraines?
Chiropractic care should not be presented as a guaranteed way to prevent migraines. Some people may seek chiropractic assessment when migraines occur alongside neck or musculoskeletal symptoms, but migraine management should be individualised and may involve medical care.
What should I tell my chiropractor about my headaches?
Tell a chiropractor when your headaches began, how frequently they occur, how long they last, where you experience symptoms, associated symptoms, possible triggers, previous injuries and any treatment or medication you currently use. This information can help inform an appropriate assessment.
Is chiropractic care suitable for every headache?
No. Headaches have many possible causes, and chiropractic care is not appropriate for every presentation. Severe, sudden, unusual or progressively worsening headaches should receive appropriate medical assessment before chiropractic treatment is considered.