Headaches
The structural cause most people miss.
Many headaches have a mechanical origin in the cervical spine - and chiropractic care has a strong track record in reducing both their frequency and intensity, without relying on medication.
UNDERSTANDING HEADACHES
Headaches aren't caused by a painkiller deficiency.
In almost fifteen years of practice, headaches are one of the most common complaints I see - and one of the most consistently undertreated. Not because effective help doesn't exist, but because most people have only ever been offered one solution: medication.
The reality is that the majority of headaches have a mechanical cause coming from the function of the cervical spine. When the joints of the neck are restricted, the surrounding muscles and nerves become sensitised, altering how the brain processes pain signals - and producing headaches that recur, escalate, and never quite resolve with pills alone.
Chiropractic care works with the structure - addressing the source of the problem, not masking the output.
TYPES WE HELP WITH
Common headache types
we see in practice.
Not all headaches are the same - and correct identification matters. Here are the types we most commonly assess and treat.
✺ Cervicogenic Headaches
"Cervicogenic" simply means coming from the neck. These arise from restricted or dysfunctional cervical joints and are among the most responsive to chiropractic care.
✺ Tension Headaches
The most common type - described as a dull, tight band around the head. Associated with stress, eye strain, and postural loading of the upper neck and shoulders.
✺ Stress-Related Headaches
Chronic stress holds itself in the body - particularly in the neck, shoulders, and jaw. These headaches are both mechanical and nervous system in origin.
✺ Sinus Headaches
Particularly relevant in Ocean Grove and the Bellarine in spring, when pollen counts are high. Pain typically presents in the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes and nose.
✺ Morning Headaches
Waking with a headache can signal jaw tension, sleep position, or cervical spine dysfunction occurring overnight.
✺ Migraines
These can be more severe and debilitating, often with sufferers needing time off work or school. Spinal care can calm the overactive brain centres associated with migraines, reducing the need for medications, and the associated nausea, visual disturbances, and sensitivity to light and sound.
47%
OF ADULTS EXPERIENCE HEADACHES REGULARLY
15-20%
OF CHRONIC HEADACHES ARE CERVICOGENIC IN ORIGIN
>2/3
OF CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE SUFFERERS IMPROVE WITH SPINAL MANIPULATIVE THERAPY
WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO
Our approach to
headache care.
After discussing your headache history - including frequency, type, triggers, and what you've tried - we perform a thorough assessment of your cervical spine and the areas of your back and nervous system that may be contributing.
We measure spinal movement, assess joint function, and carry out neurological and balance testing where relevant. If imaging is warranted based on your history and findings, we arrange referrals accordingly.
When the results indicate that chiropractic care is appropriate - which it usually is - we establish a care plan tailored to you. This includes adjustments, postural guidance, ergonomic recommendations, and exercises designed to address the cause and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
We're interested in sustainable, lasting results - not short-term fixes that leave the underlying problem intact.
COMMON HEADACHE TRIGGERS
What makes headaches
more likely?
Stress
Chronic stress activates the nervous system and creates sustained muscle tension - particularly in the neck and upper back.
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Poor Posture & Screen Time
Forward head posture adds significant load to the cervical spine, sensitising the joints and nerves that refer pain into the head.
→
Inadequate Sleep
Insufficient or disrupted sleep lowers pain thresholds and inflammatory markers - making headaches both more likely and more severe.
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Dehydration & Blood Sugar
Simple physiological factors that are often overlooked - and worth ruling out alongside structural causes.
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A NOTE
"Headaches aren't inconveniences to be medicated away. They are the body's call for attention. In my experience, most people who have suffered with recurring headaches often haven't asked the question: what is my body trying to tell me? And often a structural cause has never been properly assessed."
DR. MICK ROWE · B.H.SCI (CHIRO) M.CLIN.CHIRO
Tired of headaches running your life?
Let's find out what's actually causing them.
Tired of headaches running your life?
Let's find out what's actually causing them.
Also at Grove Chiropractic
Other conditions
we commonly help with.
Neck Pain
Screen time, sitting, and modern life in general - all place significant stress on the cervical spine. We improve neck function - not just manage symptoms.
Poor Sleep
Spinal problems and nervous system imbalances are common contributors to sleep difficulties.
A more balanced nervous system = better sleep quality.
Stress & Anxiety
Modern life is busy in ways our bodies weren't designed for - we live on edge, almost predicting the next stress just around the corner. Chiropractic care helps regulate the nervous system so it can do what it was built to - recover, adapt and thrive.
References
1 Aliyev R et al. Epidemiology of primary headaches in the population of Baku. Journal of Headache and Pain, 2014. ↗
2 Haldeman S, Dagenais S. Cervicogenic headaches: a critical review. Spine Journal, 2001; Fernandez-de-las-Penas C et al. Global trends in research on cervicogenic headache. Frontiers in Neurology, 2023. ↗
3 Haas M et al. Dose-response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for care of cervicogenic headache: a dual-center randomized controlled trial. Spine Journal, 2018. ↗