A Holistic Approach to Relief
Headaches are among the most common types of pain experienced by people worldwide. Whether it’s a dull tension-type headache, a debilitating migraine, or a cervicogenic headache originating from the neck, the discomfort can significantly affect your quality of life. At their core, headaches, like any pain are signals from your body that something isn’t quite right. Your brain creates the sensation of pain if it perceives a problem or even a potential threat to your health.
While some headaches can indicate serious underlying health issues, for most people they are linked to lifestyle factors, posture, stress, or spinal dysfunction. This is where chiropractic care can play an important role in addressing the root cause rather than simply masking the symptoms.
Understanding Headaches and Cervicogenic Headaches
The head is the most common site of pain in the body, and headaches present in various ways:
- Tension-type headaches may feel like a tight band around your head.
- Migraines can be severe, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.
- Cervicogenic headaches are caused by dysfunction in the cervical spine (neck) and can be felt on one or both sides of the head, often starting in the neck and radiating forward.
Cervicogenic headaches often develop from poor posture, spinal misalignment, whiplash injuries, or ongoing neck strain, particularly common in people spending long hours at a desk or using mobile devices. These headaches may worsen with certain neck movements and often respond well to targeted chiropractic care.
Headaches of any kind may be localised to one area of the head or involve the entire skull, and can be triggered by daily activities such as prolonged computer use, stress, poor posture, or lack of quality sleep.
The Spine-Brain Connection
Modern neuroscience research has shown that spinal movement is essential for accurate brain-body communication. Your brain relies on signals from small muscles around the spine and skull to understand where your body is in space and how it should move.
When certain spinal segments are not moving properly, what some chiropractors call “chiropractic subluxations”, this can alter the brain’s perception and processing of sensory information. In some people, this dysfunction can manifest as cervicogenic headaches or migraines; in others, it might present as neck pain, back pain, reduced coordination, or even non-musculoskeletal issues.
What the Research Says About Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headaches
A growing body of evidence supports the use of chiropractic care for certain types of headaches, particularly cervicogenic headaches:
- Migraines: A landmark Australian study involving 127 participants found that after two months of chiropractic care, many patients experienced significant reductions in migraine frequency, duration, and medication use. Notably, one in five participants reported their migraines almost completely resolved.
- Cervicogenic headaches: In a 2010 trial, 160 patients with cervicogenic headaches were split into two groups: one received chiropractic adjustments and the other received light massage. The chiropractic group reported greater pain relief, fewer headaches, and reduced medication use — with benefits lasting up to 24 weeks after care ended.
- Systematic reviews and guidelines: Multiple meta-analyses have concluded that chiropractic care, particularly spinal manipulative therapy, can help reduce the intensity, frequency, and disability associated with cervicogenic headaches and migraines.
While more research is needed to fully understand how spinal dysfunction leads to headaches, current evidence suggests that for many people, chiropractic adjustments can be an effective and drug-free approach to headache management.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
By gently adjusting subluxated spinal segments, chiropractors aim to restore proper movement and improve nervous system communication. For those with cervicogenic headaches, this may lead to:
- Reduced headache frequency and intensity.
- Improved neck mobility.
- Decreased reliance on medication.
- Better posture and spinal health.
Importantly, chiropractic care is tailored to each individual. Not every headache is caused by spinal dysfunction, so a thorough consultation and assessment are essential to determine whether chiropractic is likely to help.
Watch: How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Headaches and Cervicogenic Headaches
Discover how spinal health plays a vital role in headache relief — including migraines and cervicogenic headaches that start in the neck. In this short video, we explain what causes these headaches, how chiropractic adjustments may help, and what research says about their effectiveness.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
While most headaches, including cervicogenic headaches, are not life-threatening, there are certain red flags that require urgent medical attention:
- Sudden, severe headaches (“thunderclap” headaches).
- Headaches with fever, stiff neck, or rash.
- Headaches with weakness, numbness, or changes in speech or vision.
- Headaches following head injury.
A Holistic Perspective
Chiropractic care for headaches, including cervicogenic headaches, is not just about spinal adjustments, it’s part of a broader, holistic approach to health. Chiropractors often incorporate advice on posture, ergonomics, stress management, hydration, and lifestyle changes to help prevent headaches from returning.
For many people, chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive, and personalised way to address headache triggers and improve overall wellbeing. While results vary, the evidence shows promising results for migraine and cervicogenic headache sufferers.
If headaches or cervicogenic headaches are affecting your daily life, consider having your spine assessed by a chiropractor.
A well-functioning spine supports a well-functioning nervous system — and that may be the key to finding lasting relief.
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