Is Your Neck the Hidden Cause of Your Headaches?
- Julian Simpson
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Is Your Neck the Hidden Cause of Your Headaches?
If you’re one of the many Aussies living with constant headaches — you’re not alone.
Headache disorders are among the most common and disabling conditions worldwide.
While most people have heard of tension-type headaches or migraines, there’s another type of headache that’s often overlooked — and it could be the missing link to your ongoing pain: the cervicogenic headache (CeH).
🔍 What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a type of headache that actually comes from your neck — not your head.
It’s caused by dysfunction or tension in the upper cervical spine — the joints, discs, and soft tissues at the top of your neck.
Typical signs of a cervicogenic headache include:
Pain that starts in the neck and radiates to the head
Headache on one side (that doesn’t shift sides)
Pain triggered by certain neck movements or awkward postures
Accompanied by neck stiffness or reduced range of motion
Because the symptoms can overlap with migraines or tension headaches, it often goes undiagnosed — leaving people chasing temporary fixes instead of addressing the real source of pain.
🧠 The Neck-Headache Connection
Recent research has shown that reduced mobility in the C1–C2 joint (the top two vertebrae in your neck) plays a big role in cervicogenic headaches.
When these joints aren’t moving properly, the surrounding muscles — particularly the obliquus capitis inferior (OCI) — can become overactive and tight. This increases tension through the upper neck and base of the skull, triggering pain that radiates forward into the head.
The good news? There are gentle, effective ways to restore proper movement and ease this tension — and one promising method is dry needling.
💉 What the Latest Research Says
A recent clinical study looked at the effects of dry needling (DN) on patients with cervicogenic headaches.
The results were encouraging:✅ A single session of dry needling targeting the upper neck muscles improved C1–C2 rotation — a key issue in cervicogenic headaches.✅ When dry needling was combined with manual therapy, the benefits were even greater.✅ Participants reported improvements that lasted for at least a week post-treatment.
While more research is needed for long-term results, the study supports what we see clinically at Health Wise Chiropractic every day — that hands-on, targeted care for the neck can make a real difference for chronic headaches.
💪 Why a Holistic Approach Works Best
Headaches — especially cervicogenic headaches — are rarely caused by one thing. They’re usually the result of multiple factors: muscle tension, joint restriction, posture, stress, and even sleep quality.
That’s why at Health Wise Chiropractic, we take a multimodal approach — combining techniques such as:
Chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal alignment and function
Dry needling to release tight suboccipital muscles
Soft tissue therapy for muscle balance
Postural correction and rehab to prevent recurrence
Y Strap
Massage with hot stones
Cupping
This combination helps restore proper movement in the neck, reduce nerve irritation, and relieve the muscle tension that drives headache pain.
🕊️ Say Goodbye to “Normal” Headaches
If you’ve been told your headaches are “just stress” or “something you have to live with” — it’s time to look deeper.
Many chronic headaches have a musculoskeletal cause that chiropractic care can address effectively and naturally.
Don’t put up with daily pain, tension, or brain fog any longer. Let’s get to the root cause and help you feel clear-headed again.
📅 Book your Headache & Neck Mobility Assessment at Health Wise Chiropractic today and take the first step toward lasting relief.
🔗 Book online: Health Wise Chiropractic Booking
Headache Chiropractor
Q: Can a chiropractor help with headaches?Yes, chiropractic care can help relieve tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches by improving spinal alignment and reducing muscle tension.
Q: How does chiropractic treat headaches?We use gentle spinal adjustments, posture correction, and muscle therapy to relieve the stress and pressure that often trigger headaches.
Q: Is chiropractic care safe for frequent headaches?Yes, chiropractic is a safe and drug-free option for many types of headaches when provided by qualified practitioners.
Q: How soon will I feel headache relief?Some patients notice improvement after their first few visits, while others may need a tailored care plan depending on the cause of their headaches.
For more information about how we can help YOU with your headaches and improve your underlying dysfunction so the problem doesn’t come back. Please call Health Wise Chiropractic 03 9467 7889 or book online to see one of our Chiropractors in Sunbury or Melton/Strathtulloh Today!
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Chys M, De Meulemeester K, De Greef I, De Sloovere M, Cagnie B. Effects of Dry Needling of the Obliquus Capitis Inferior in Patients with Cervicogenic Headache and Upper Cervical Dysfunction: An Exploratory Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial. J Clin Med. 2025 Sep 19;14(18):6619. doi: 10.3390/jcm14186619. PMID: 41010828; PMCID: PMC12471241.
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