Types of headaches we can assist with
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common headache type, characterised by a dull, aching, band-like pressure sensation around the head — often affecting the temples, forehead and base of the skull. They typically arise from sustained tension in the muscles of the neck, shoulders and scalp, often triggered or perpetuated by stress, poor posture, prolonged screen use and fatigue.
Many tension headache sufferers manage with over-the-counter medication without ever addressing the physical cause. Chiropractic care targeting the cervical spine and surrounding musculature — combined with postural correction — can help reduce both frequency and severity.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate from dysfunction in the upper cervical joints and surrounding structures, with pain referred into the head via the upper cervical nerves. They are often mistaken for tension headaches or migraines. Characteristic features include pain at the base of the skull or behind the eye, one-sided or predominantly one-sided headache, neck stiffness, and headaches that worsen with sustained neck positions (desk work, driving, looking down).
Cervicogenic headaches come from the neck, which makes them a natural fit for chiropractic care. Identifying the contributing cervical levels and addressing them directly may help, including for people who have managed their headaches with medication for years.
Read more: Why Your Headaches Might Be Coming From Your Neck →
Migraines
Migraines are severe, often debilitating headaches frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and visual disturbances. They involve complex neurological and vascular mechanisms and have multiple trigger factors. Chiropractic care won't eliminate migraines, but it may help reduce how often they occur and how severe they are — particularly where cervical dysfunction is a contributing trigger.
Dr Poulton works alongside patients' GPs and neurologists in managing complex migraine presentations, focusing on identifying and addressing any cervical contributors while the medical management of the migraine mechanism is handled appropriately.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are intense, excruciating headaches that occur in clusters — typically daily for weeks or months at a time, then remitting for an extended period. They are characterised by severe unilateral pain around the eye, often accompanied by redness, tearing and nasal congestion on the affected side.
While the primary mechanism of cluster headaches is neurological, chiropractic care may help manage associated cervical dysfunction and reduce the musculoskeletal contributors to headache frequency. Dr Poulton co-manages cluster headache patients with their medical team as appropriate.
Post-Concussion Headaches
Headaches following a head injury — including sport-related concussion, falls and motor vehicle accidents — are common and can persist for weeks, months or longer. They often have a significant cervical component: the same forces that caused the concussion frequently also injured the cervical spine, contributing to ongoing headache symptoms even after the brain injury has resolved.
Identifying cervical dysfunction in post-concussion headache patients is an important component of comprehensive management. Dr Poulton works within appropriate return-to-activity frameworks and alongside medical practitioners in managing post-concussion presentations.
How we approach headaches at Momentum
Dr Poulton's approach to headache management begins with identifying the type of headache and its contributing factors. A thorough assessment covers the headache history, pattern, triggers and associated symptoms; cervical spine movement, posture and joint assessment; and neurological screening.
For headaches with a cervical component — which includes most tension-type and cervicogenic headaches, and many migraines — care typically combines:
- Cervical adjustments — targeting the upper cervical joints contributing to referred head pain
- Soft tissue therapy — releasing the suboccipital muscles, upper trapezius, levator scapulae and other structures involved in tension-type and cervicogenic headache
- Laser therapy — particularly useful for persistent muscle tension and chronic presentations
- Postural correction — addressing the screen use and desk work habits that often drive cervicogenic and tension headaches
- Trigger identification — working with patients to identify and manage individual headache triggers
Most patients with cervicogenic or tension-type headaches find meaningful improvement within 3–6 sessions. Migraine management typically requires a longer and more gradual approach.
Read the article
Dr Poulton has written in depth about the cervicogenic headache connection: Why Your Headaches Might Actually Be Coming From Your Neck
Headache treatment FAQ
Can chiropractic help headaches?
Yes, for many headache types. Chiropractic care has the strongest evidence for cervicogenic headaches and tension-type headaches with a cervical component. There is also clinical evidence supporting its role in reducing the frequency and severity of migraine episodes for many patients. Dr Poulton will assess your headaches thoroughly to determine whether chiropractic care is likely to help and what the realistic expected outcomes are.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies with the type of headache and how long you've had it. Migraine management usually takes longer than cervicogenic or tension-type headaches. Dr Poulton will give you a realistic estimate based on your headache pattern and clinical findings at your initial assessment.
Can chiropractic help with migraines?
Chiropractic care won't eliminate migraines, but it may help reduce how often they occur and how severe they are. I take a co-management approach to migraines, working alongside the patient's GP and/or neurologist and focusing on the cervical contributors I can directly address.
Do I need imaging before treatment?
In most cases, imaging is not required before beginning headache treatment. Dr Poulton will assess your headache presentation and determine whether imaging is clinically indicated. Red flags — including sudden severe onset headache, headache with neurological symptoms, or headache following head injury — will be appropriately investigated before treatment proceeds.
Is chiropractic safe for headache treatment?
Yes. Chiropractic care for cervicogenic and tension-type headaches is safe and well-evidenced. Dr Poulton performs a thorough pre-treatment assessment for all patients, including screening for contraindications. Treatment techniques are selected based on your specific findings and presentation, ensuring the most appropriate and comfortable approach is used.