Headaches & migraines
When headaches keep arriving, they can quietly shrink your week down to getting through the day.
Many headaches have a physical component, particularly tension and cervicogenic headaches that stem from the neck and upper back. We assess where yours may be coming from and whether osteopathy is likely to help. Where another cause is more appropriate, we will tell you honestly and point you in the right direction.
What it can feel like
- A band of pressure or tightness around the head
- Pain that starts in the neck and spreads upward
- Headaches that worsen after long periods at a screen
- Tension across the shoulders alongside the headache
Common contributing factors
- Sustained neck and shoulder tension from desk work
- Reduced movement through the upper neck
- Stress, poor sleep, and jaw clenching
- Posture habits that load the head and neck
How we help
A careful history to understand the pattern of your headaches
Hands-on treatment to ease neck and upper back tension
Guidance on triggers, posture, and daily habits
A clear plan, and a referral on if osteopathy is not the right fit
Our perspective
How we think about this
Many of the headaches we see have a physical driver in the neck and upper back. When the head sits forward and the mid-back stiffens up, the small muscles at the base of the skull stay switched on all day, and that tension can build into a headache.
That is why we do not just chase the headache itself. We look at how your neck and upper back are moving and loading, because easing that pattern is often what takes the pressure off. If we think something else is going on, we will say so honestly and help you find the right person.
Common questions about headaches & migraines
Can osteopathy help with headaches?+
Yes. The most common headache types we see, tension-type and cervicogenic headaches, have a physical driver in the neck and upper back, which is exactly what osteopaths treat. We assess where yours are coming from and work on the pattern behind them, not just the symptom.
How do I know if my headaches are coming from my neck?+
Common clues include pain that starts at the base of the skull and spreads upward, headaches that build after long periods at a screen, tenderness through the neck and shoulders, and headaches that change with neck movement or posture. An assessment puts the picture together properly.
Do you treat migraines?+
Yes. Many people with migraine carry significant neck and upper back tension that feeds into how often and how hard their migraines hit. We treat that physical component with hands-on care and practical strategies for triggers and load, working alongside your GP where that helps. For many people, easing the neck component makes migraines noticeably more manageable.
When should I see a doctor about a headache instead?+
See a doctor promptly for a sudden, severe headache unlike anything before, a headache after a head injury, or one accompanied by fever, confusion, vision changes, weakness, or numbness. If anything in your history concerns us, we will refer you on straight away.
Dealing with headaches & migraines?
Book your 60-minute first appointment and we will help you get to the cause, or call the clinic for a chat. Real diagnosis, hands-on treatment, and a plan to follow. All in your first visit.
Online booking, instant confirmation. HICAPS rebates on the spot.