Neck Pain and Headaches: How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Is Your Neck Causing Your Headaches?

Ever had a headache that just won’t go away? Maybe it starts as a dull ache at the base of your skull and gradually spreads across your head. Or perhaps it feels like a tight band around your forehead.

What many people don’t realize is that neck tension and misalignment can be a major trigger for headaches. Whether it’s from poor posture, stress, long hours at a desk, or an old injury, issues in the cervical spine (your neck) can lead to persistent headaches, muscle tension, and discomfort that affects your daily life.

If this sounds familiar, it may be time to consider chiropractic care as a natural, non-invasive way to relieve pain and prevent it from coming back.

The Link Between Neck Pain and Headaches

Your neck is one of the most critical areas of your spine, responsible for supporting the weight of your head, allowing movement, and protecting nerves that connect to the rest of your body.

When your neck is out of alignment, it can lead to muscle tightness, nerve irritation, and restricted blood flow, which all contribute to headaches.

There are three common types of headaches linked to neck dysfunction:

1. Cervicogenic Headaches (Headaches Caused by Neck Dysfunction)

These headaches originate in the neck and radiate upward, often causing pain on one side of the head or behind the eyes. They are typically caused by:

✔ Poor posture (especially from sitting at a desk or looking at screens too long).
✔ Misaligned vertebrae in the cervical spine (leading to nerve irritation).
✔ Muscle tension or trigger points in the neck and shoulders.

2. Tension Headaches

Tension headaches often feel like a tight band around the forehead or a dull ache that wraps around your head. They are commonly caused by:

✔ Stress and anxiety, leading to muscle clenching.
✔ Neck and shoulder tension from poor posture or repetitive strain.
✔ Jaw clenching or teeth grinding (TMJ dysfunction).

3. Migraines and Neck Pain

Many people who suffer from migraines report that their attacks are accompanied by neck stiffness, tightness, or discomfort. While the exact cause of migraines is complex, neck dysfunction and nerve irritation can be contributing factors.

If any of these headaches sound familiar, chiropractic care may offer relief by addressing the root cause of your neck pain rather than just masking symptoms with painkillers.

How a Chiropractor Can Help with Headaches and Neck Pain

Unlike medication, which only provides temporary relief, chiropractic care works to correct the underlying cause of your pain—misalignment, tension, and nerve irritation.

Chiropractic Techniques for Headaches and Neck Pain

At Salt Chiropractic in South Brisbane, we take a holistic approach to restore proper movement and function in your spine.

🔹 Chiropractic Adjustments → Restore proper alignment in the cervical spine, reducing nerve pressure and tension.
🔹 Muscle Release Therapy → Eases muscle knots and trigger points in the neck and shoulders.
🔹 Postural Correction → Addresses forward head posture and imbalances that contribute to pain.
🔹 Lifestyle & Ergonomic Advice → Helps you make small changes to prevent tension buildup.

By improving spinal alignment, we can help reduce tension, restore movement, and allow your body to heal naturally—without relying on painkillers.

Everyday Habits That Might Be Making Your Headaches Worse

Many people don’t realize that their daily habits could be the reason their headaches keep coming back. If you’re dealing with chronic neck pain and headaches, watch out for these common triggers:

🔻 Too Much Screen Time – Staring at your phone or computer for hours leads to "tech neck", increasing strain on your cervical spine.
🔻 Poor Sleep Position – Sleeping on your stomach or with the wrong pillow can throw your neck out of alignment.
🔻 Dehydration – Not drinking enough water can contribute to headaches and muscle cramps.
🔻 High Stress Levels – Stress leads to muscle clenching and jaw tension, worsening headaches.
🔻 Caffeine Overload or Withdrawal – Too much or too little caffeine can trigger headaches.

If you’re guilty of any of these, simple changes—like improving your posture, hydration, and sleep setup—can make a big difference.

Simple Stretches and Exercises for Neck Pain & Headaches

If you’re looking for at-home ways to relieve tension and prevent headaches, try these simple chiropractor-approved stretches:

1. Chin Tucks

Helps improve posture and reduce forward head strain.

How to do it: Sit tall, tuck your chin slightly, and pull your head straight back (like making a double chin). Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

2. Upper Trap Stretch

Relieves tension in the upper shoulders.

How to do it: Tilt your head to one side (ear toward shoulder) until you feel a stretch in the opposite side of your neck. Hold for 20 seconds. Repeat on both sides.

3. Shoulder Blade Squeeze

Improves posture and reduces upper back tightness.

How to do it: Squeeze your shoulder blades together, hold for 5 seconds, and release. Repeat 10 times.

These exercises, combined with chiropractic care, can help correct imbalances and keep headaches at bay.

When to See a Chiropractor for Headaches and Neck Pain

You don’t have to live with constant headaches or neck stiffness. If you experience any of the following, it’s time to book a chiropractic check-up:

✔ Frequent headaches that start in your neck
✔ Neck pain or stiffness that won’t go away
✔ Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or screen time
✔ Tension in your shoulders and upper back
✔ Headaches that don’t improve with painkillers

At Salt Chiropractic in South Brisbane, we specialize in helping people get to the root cause of their pain so they can feel better naturally.

Ready to Find Relief? Let’s Get Started

If headaches and neck pain are interfering with your life, don’t wait for them to get worse. Chiropractic care may be the natural solution you’ve been looking for.

At Salt Chiropractic in South Brisbane, we offer personalized care tailored to your needs. Whether you’re struggling with cervicogenic headaches, tension headaches, or migraines, we’ll work with you to develop a plan that helps you feel your best.

📅 Book an appointment today and take the first step toward lasting relief!

References:

Cleveland Clinic. Cervicogenic Headache. Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/cervicogenic-headache

PubMed. The association between neck pain and headaches. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37394323/

American Migraine Foundation. Neck Pain and Migraines. Retrieved from: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/neck-pain-migraine/

Harvard Medical School. Posture and Headaches. Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-posture-affects-headaches