Understanding Headaches & Migraines

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints in the world. For some, it’s a dull ache at the back of the head. For others, it’s a pulsing, one-sided migraine that stops life in its tracks. While many people turn to painkillers or assume headaches are just part of life, there may be an underlying cause that’s often overlooked: your spine

What Causes Headaches?

There are many types of headaches—tension-type, migraines, cluster headaches, cervicogenic headaches—and they can have multiple contributing factors:

  • Poor posture (especially forward head posture)

  • Muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back

  • Spinal joint dysfunction (especially in the cervical spine)

  • Stress and nervous system dysregulation

  • Jaw tension or clenching

  • Hormonal changes

  • Lack of sleep, dehydration, or skipped meals

For migraine sufferers, triggers may also include specific foods, light or sound sensitivity, or even weather changes. But research is showing more and more that the nervous system plays a key role in how headaches begin and persist.

The Spine–Headache Connection

Did you know that the upper neck (C1–C3) shares close neurological pathways with the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the head and face? When there’s tension, misalignment, or restricted motion in the upper cervical spine, it can send confusing signals to the brain, resulting in pain that feels like it's coming from the head, face, or behind the eyes.

This type of referred pain is known as a cervicogenic headache. It’s a headache that starts in the neck—but feels like a regular headache or even mimics a migraine.

Common signs that your headache may be spinal in origin include:

  • Pain that starts at the base of the skull and radiates to the forehead or behind the eyes

  • Headaches that worsen with neck movement or prolonged posture (like working at a desk)

  • Neck stiffness, reduced range of motion, or tight shoulders

  • Relief from physical movement or spinal adjustments

  • A history of whiplash, poor posture, or long-term stress

Common Symptoms of Headaches & Migraines

  • Throbbing, dull, or sharp pain (can be one-sided or both)

  • Tension or tightness across the forehead, temples, or back of head

  • Neck stiffness or shoulder tightness

  • Visual changes, nausea, or sensitivity to light and sound (more common in migraines)

  • Feeling foggy or irritable

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care looks beyond the symptom and addresses the underlying cause. We assess the function of your spine and nervous system, identify areas of joint restriction or misalignment, and work to restore better movement and balance.

Evidence suggests that chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine may help reduce:

  • Frequency and intensity of headaches

  • Muscle tension and stiffness in the neck and shoulders

  • Irritation of the nerves that contribute to headache pain

  • Dependency on medication

When to Consider Chiropractic for Headaches

  • You’ve had headaches that don’t respond well to medication

  • You notice neck tightness or stiffness with your headaches

  • Your headaches are triggered by stress, posture, or jaw tension

  • You want to explore drug-free options for managing your migraines

  • You’re looking to improve your spinal and nervous system health holistically