Chiropractor for migraines & headaches in Bibra Lake: Migraines or headaches that start in your neck?
- Migraines & headaches
- Neck decompression where suitable
- Works alongside your GP
Last updated
AHPRA-registered chiropractors
12+ years of chiropractic experience
When the headache starts in your neck
The top joints of your neck share nerve pathways with the back and side of your head. When those joints are stiff, or the small muscles at the base of the skull are overworked, pain can be felt as a headache rather than neck pain. This is known as a cervicogenic headache.
Signs your headache may have a neck component
- Pain starts at the base of the skull or back of the neck
- Usually one side, spreading toward the forehead or eye
- Comes with neck stiffness or reduced neck turning
- Worse after long desk, phone or driving sessions
- Pressing on the upper neck can reproduce it
- Often builds through the day
Migraines with a neck component
Migraine is a neurological condition, so it should be diagnosed and managed with your GP or neurologist. But many people with migraines also have a tight, stiff neck, tension at the base of the skull, or attacks that seem to follow long desk or driving days. That neck load can add to the problem.
Where your assessment shows a neck component, care may include gentle upper-neck adjustments, soft-tissue release and gentle neck decompression, working alongside your medical care, never instead of it.
Neck pain and headaches often travel together. Read more about our approach to neck pain and stiffness, or what happens at your first visit.
Sound familiar?
The heavy 3pm head
- 9amFine
Fresh coffee, fresh neck. Shoulders where they should be.
- 11amTight
Head creeping toward the screen. Upper traps start to complain.
- 1pmPressure
A dull band at the base of the skull. You rub it without noticing.
- 3pmThe heavy head
That familiar ache wraps over one side of your head. Focus drops.
Illustrative example only. Everyone’s pattern is different.
Not all headaches are the same
Which headache is it?
| Type | Where it’s often felt | Our approach |
|---|---|---|
| Cervicogenic headache | Base of skull, one side, spreading forward | Often driven by the upper neck, the main focus of our assessment and care. |
| Tension-type headache | Band or pressure around the head | May be linked to neck and upper-back tension; we check posture, muscles and joints. |
| Migraine | Often throbbing, with light or sound sensitivity, nausea | Best managed with your GP. We may help any neck component, alongside your medical care. |
Important
When to get urgent medical care
Call 000 or go to an emergency department if you have:
- A sudden, severe “worst ever” headache
- Headache with fever, stiff neck or a rash
- Confusion, weakness, numbness or slurred speech
- Vision loss, double vision or a seizure
- A headache after a head injury
See your GP promptly for new headaches after age 50, or headaches that keep getting worse.
How we help
Gentle care, clear answers
If your assessment shows a neck component, care may include gentle adjustments to the upper neck and upper back, low-force Activator work, gentle neck decompression where suitable, soft-tissue release for the muscles at the base of the skull, and practical changes to your desk, screen and pillow set-up.
We’ll tell you honestly if we don’t think your headaches are coming from your neck, and refer you to your GP when that’s the right next step. Learn more about our wider chiropractic care.
FAQs
Headache questions, answered
Can a chiropractor help with headaches?
Chiropractic care can help some types of headache, particularly cervicogenic headaches that start in the neck and tension-type headaches linked to neck and upper-back stiffness. At ChiropracticHUB in Bibra Lake we first assess your neck, posture and nerve function to check whether your headaches have a neck component, then explain your options.
What is a cervicogenic headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a headache that starts in the neck. Pain usually begins at the base of the skull on one side and can spread over the head to the forehead or behind the eye. It is often linked to neck stiffness, reduced neck movement or certain postures, and may be worse after long desk or driving sessions.
Can a chiropractor help with migraines?
Migraine is a neurological condition and is best diagnosed and managed with your GP or neurologist. Some people with migraine also have neck stiffness or tension that adds to their headaches, and chiropractic care, including gentle neck decompression where suitable, may help that neck component. We will always work alongside your medical care, not instead of it.
When should I see a doctor urgently about a headache?
Call 000 or go to an emergency department for a sudden, severe “worst ever” headache, or a headache with fever and stiff neck, confusion, weakness, numbness, slurred speech, vision loss, a seizure, or after a head injury. See your GP promptly for new headaches after age 50 or headaches that are steadily getting worse.
How much does a headache assessment cost at ChiropracticHUB?
New patients start with a $69 Neck & Spine Assessment of up to 45 minutes at our Bibra Lake clinic, including a health history, neurological, orthopaedic and spinal assessment, and a measured postural analysis. No referral is needed and most private health funds can be claimed on the spot.
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