Headaches and Migraines
Headaches and migraines
Not every headache comes from the neck, but many are connected to it.
Headaches are a common reason people come to see us. There are many kinds, and it matters to work out which one you're dealing with. The nerves of the upper neck are closely linked to the head, so neck tension and stress can contribute to headaches. That's why we look at your neck and the way your nervous system is functioning, as well as where it hurts.
What headaches can look like
A dull ache or band of pressure around the head or forehead
Pain that starts at the base of the skull and travels forward
Tenderness in the neck, shoulders or scalp
Throbbing pain, or sensitivity to light and noise
Headaches that follow long hours at a screen, a stressful week or poor sleep
More on Dr Stephen Foster [here]
Different kinds of headache
Tension-type headaches are common and often tied to neck and shoulder tension, posture and stress. Neck-related (cervicogenic) headaches start in the upper neck. Migraines are more intense, can come with nausea or visual changes, and have many possible triggers. Many people with migraines also have neck and shoulder tension, and some find that working with this can help.
How we work with it
Spinal Somatics is a gentle, precise approach to chiropractic that uses quite light, brief contacts to work with your nervous system to release the tension your spine and body is holding. For headaches, we pay particular attention to your upper neck and how you hold tension through your neck, jaw and shoulders. There are no forceful techniques involved. See also [Neck pain] and [Jaw pain and TMD].
Honest advice
We explain what we find and what we recommend, including when your headaches might need another practitioner or specialist rather than us. We're always happy to work alongside your doctor or other care provider.
What your first visit looks like
We start by listening: what the headaches feel like, when they started and how often, what brings them on, and what else is going on, including neck pain, sleep and stress. We check how your neck moves and where you hold tension, then explain what we find and what we recommend. Your first visit is typically 1 hour, and regular visits are around 15 minutes.
Common questions
Can chiropractic help migraines? It depends on the person and the source of the migraine. Some people's migraines are linked to neck tension and stress. We'll tell you honestly whether we think we can help, and we'll suggest you see your doctor if we think that's needed.
How will I know if it's helping? We track how often your headaches come and how intense they are, and we review this with you as we go. If the headaches are severe or have been happening for a long time, it may take a few sessions to begin to notice a difference, but this is something we discuss during our initial assessment.