Most people who come to see us about headaches have already tried a few things. They've managed with pain relief, adjusted their pillow or cut back on coffee. Sometimes it helps for a bit, but the headaches keep coming back. For some people the neck is part of the picture, and it's worth having it looked at.
One thing we take seriously is working out whether your headaches are something we can help with. We're not just looking for something to treat. We're also checking for anything that isn't musculoskeletal. If there's any reason to think your headaches aren't coming from the spine or surrounding structures, we'll say so, and refer you to your GP, an appropriate specialist or for imaging where it's warranted. Getting the right answer matters more than finding something to adjust.
At The Local Chiro we look beyond where the pain is felt, and for a lot of people that includes the neck.
Why the neck matters
Some types of headaches are linked to the neck. The upper cervical spine has a close relationship with headache activity. When the joints are restricted or the surrounding muscles are overloaded, they can refer pain into the head.
Tension-type headaches are similar. Tight muscles through the neck and shoulders and restricted movement in the upper spine can contribute.
If your headaches tend to start at the base of your skull, build through the day or come on after long periods of sitting or screen time, it's worth having your neck assessed.
What we look at
Things we commonly look at include:
What care looks like
Your first appointment is thorough. We take a detailed history, look at how your neck is moving and assess your posture before we do anything else. We'll explain what we find and talk through what care looks like before we proceed.
Treatment is hands-on and tailored to you. Depending on what we find it may include Chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue release, dry needling or advice on posture, sleep and screen habits. You can read more on our Our Approach page.
Who we see
We see headache patients of all kinds: desk workers, tradies, parents, students and people who've just had enough of pushing through. If headaches are affecting your work, sleep or quality of life, it's worth getting a proper look.
If you'd like to understand more, read our blog post about headaches.
Common questions
Can a Chiropractor help with headaches?
It depends on the type of headache. Some are linked to the neck and we assess for that. If yours seem to be coming from somewhere else, we'll tell you and refer you on.
Do I need a referral or a scan?
No referral is needed. If we think imaging or another opinion is appropriate, we'll arrange it or refer you on.
Is neck treatment safe?
We take a full history and examination before any treatment and explain each technique before we use it. As with any health care, there are benefits and risks, and we're happy to talk them through before you decide.
Book online or call or text us to talk through what you've been experiencing.
The Local Chiro is at 28 Badminton Street, Mount Gravatt East, with easy access and parking. We see patients from Holland Park, Mount Gravatt, Wishart, Mansfield, Carindale and Coorparoo, and across Brisbane. Appointments are available on Tuesdays, Thursday afternoons and evenings, and Saturday mornings.