Headaches are one of the most common reasons people come to see me in practice.
Over the last 13+ years at Elevate Chiropractic I've helped many people suffering from headaches, and one thing I've learned is that the headache itself is often not the real problem.
More often than not, headaches are a symptom of something else going on.
The key is figuring out what that "something else" is.
Once we identify the contributing factors and start making some small, consistent changes, headaches can often improve significantly.
The good news is that those changes don't usually need to be dramatic.
If you are looking for a chiropractor near Hobsonville to help with headaches, understanding what causes them is the first step.
Over the last 13+ years at Elevate Chiropractic I've helped many people suffering from headaches, and one thing I've learned is that the headache itself is often not the real problem.
More often than not, headaches are a symptom of something else going on.
The key is figuring out what that "something else" is.
Once we identify the contributing factors and start making some small, consistent changes, headaches can often improve significantly.
The good news is that those changes don't usually need to be dramatic.
If you are looking for a chiropractor near Hobsonville to help with headaches, understanding what causes them is the first step.
What Types of Headaches Can Chiropractic Care Help?
The two most common types of headaches I see in practice are:
• Tension-type headaches
• Cervicogenic headaches
Tension headaches are often associated with muscle tension, stress, posture, and spending long periods in the same position.
Cervicogenic headaches originate from dysfunction in the neck and are often accompanied by neck pain, stiffness, or restricted movement.
In both cases, the neck, upper back, muscles, joints, posture, and daily habits can all play a role.
Related: Can Chiropractic Care Help Neck Pain?
• Tension-type headaches
• Cervicogenic headaches
Tension headaches are often associated with muscle tension, stress, posture, and spending long periods in the same position.
Cervicogenic headaches originate from dysfunction in the neck and are often accompanied by neck pain, stiffness, or restricted movement.
In both cases, the neck, upper back, muscles, joints, posture, and daily habits can all play a role.
Related: Can Chiropractic Care Help Neck Pain?
Why Do People Get Headaches?
There are many possible causes of headaches, which is why a proper assessment is so important.
Some of the most common contributing factors I see include:
I am a headache sufferer myself and one pattern I've noticed over the years is that once a headache becomes established, it's often quite easy to keep it stirred up.
People can often continue doing the same things that aggravate it without realising it.
The headache becomes a recurring cycle.
The good news is that by identifying those aggravating factors and making a few simple changes, it is often possible to break that cycle.
Some of the most common contributing factors I see include:
- Desk work and prolonged sitting
- Poor workstation setup
- Forward head posture
- Stress
- Accidents or injuries
- Lack of movement throughout the day
- Neck tension and muscular tightness
- Dysfunction in the joints of the neck and upper back
I am a headache sufferer myself and one pattern I've noticed over the years is that once a headache becomes established, it's often quite easy to keep it stirred up.
People can often continue doing the same things that aggravate it without realising it.
The headache becomes a recurring cycle.
The good news is that by identifying those aggravating factors and making a few simple changes, it is often possible to break that cycle.
How I Assess Someone With Headaches
When someone comes into the practice with headaches, I don't just look at their head or neck. I take a whole-body approach.
The assessment typically includes:
One of the most common things I find is the classic forward head posture combined with tightness through the upper neck and suboccipital muscles.
I also frequently find areas of joint dysfunction in the cervical and thoracic spine (the neck and midback).
The thoracic spine (mid-back) is particularly important because when it becomes stiff, it can contribute to poor posture and increase stress on the neck.
My goal is always to get to the cause of the problem rather than simply treating the symptom.
The assessment typically includes:
- A detailed history
- Neurological testing to rule out red flags
- Postural assessment
- Joint and movement assessment
- Evaluation of muscular tension and tightness
- Looking for signs of inflammation or irritation
One of the most common things I find is the classic forward head posture combined with tightness through the upper neck and suboccipital muscles.
I also frequently find areas of joint dysfunction in the cervical and thoracic spine (the neck and midback).
The thoracic spine (mid-back) is particularly important because when it becomes stiff, it can contribute to poor posture and increase stress on the neck.
My goal is always to get to the cause of the problem rather than simply treating the symptom.
A Real-Life Example: The Desk Setup That Was Causing Headaches and Neck Pain
One recent patient came to see me with neck pain and recurring headaches.
After completing the assessment and beginning care, we looked more closely at her workstation setup.
It turned out she was using multiple computer screens and was spending most of her day looking to the left, and that constant rotation through her neck was acting as an aggravating factor.
Alongside chiropractic care, we changed the way she used her screens so that she was looking primarily straight ahead.
We also introduced regular movement breaks throughout the day.
The result?
Her headaches improved significantly.
Sometimes it's not one big thing causing the problem. It's a collection of small daily habits.
After completing the assessment and beginning care, we looked more closely at her workstation setup.
It turned out she was using multiple computer screens and was spending most of her day looking to the left, and that constant rotation through her neck was acting as an aggravating factor.
Alongside chiropractic care, we changed the way she used her screens so that she was looking primarily straight ahead.
We also introduced regular movement breaks throughout the day.
The result?
Her headaches improved significantly.
Sometimes it's not one big thing causing the problem. It's a collection of small daily habits.
Another Example: When Simple Habits Made a Big Difference
Another patient had been suffering from regular headaches and relying on medication to manage them.
Alongside chiropractic adjustments, I showed her a few simple things she could do at home to help reset the system and reduce the strain on her body.
These weren't complicated exercises.
They were small, practical habits that could easily fit into her day.
Over time, those changes made a significant difference to how often she experienced headaches.
This is one of the reasons I often say: Small things done consistently are much better than big things done occasionally.
Alongside chiropractic adjustments, I showed her a few simple things she could do at home to help reset the system and reduce the strain on her body.
These weren't complicated exercises.
They were small, practical habits that could easily fit into her day.
Over time, those changes made a significant difference to how often she experienced headaches.
This is one of the reasons I often say: Small things done consistently are much better than big things done occasionally.
What Does Chiropractic Care for Headaches Involve?
Every person is different, but treatment often includes:
I will often encourage patients to keep a headache diary as well.
This can help identify patterns and uncover factors that may be contributing to their symptoms.
Sometimes the triggers are more obvious than people realize once they start paying attention.
Related: How a headache diary can help your headaches
- Chiropractic adjustments to the neck and upper back
- Soft tissue work to reduce muscular tension
- Advice on workstation ergonomics
- Guidance on movement breaks throughout the day
- Simple exercises to help improve movement and function
- Advice on sleep position and other potential aggravating factors
I will often encourage patients to keep a headache diary as well.
This can help identify patterns and uncover factors that may be contributing to their symptoms.
Sometimes the triggers are more obvious than people realize once they start paying attention.
Related: How a headache diary can help your headaches
Three Simple Things You Can Do Today
If you regularly suffer from headaches, here are three simple things you can try:
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can contribute to headaches, and simply drinking more water could make a big difference.
So, make sure you're drinking enough water throughout the day.
Use Heat
Applying heat to tight muscles around the neck and shoulders can help reduce muscular tension and improve comfort. Heat is a great natural approach to reducing muscular tension.
Check Your Positioning
Take a look at your workstation, your posture, and even how you sit while watching television.
Small adjustments in how you position your body can sometimes make a surprisingly big difference.
The blog post linked below goes through some of the simple things you can try at home.
Related: 5 simple remedies for a sore neck and shoulders (you can do at home)
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can contribute to headaches, and simply drinking more water could make a big difference.
So, make sure you're drinking enough water throughout the day.
Use Heat
Applying heat to tight muscles around the neck and shoulders can help reduce muscular tension and improve comfort. Heat is a great natural approach to reducing muscular tension.
Check Your Positioning
Take a look at your workstation, your posture, and even how you sit while watching television.
Small adjustments in how you position your body can sometimes make a surprisingly big difference.
The blog post linked below goes through some of the simple things you can try at home.
Related: 5 simple remedies for a sore neck and shoulders (you can do at home)
The One Thing I Wish More People Knew About Headaches
If there's one thing I wish more people understood, it's this: Headaches are often just a symptom.
The real question is: What is causing the headache to keep coming back?
Rather than focusing solely on relieving the pain, try to identify the factors that may be contributing to it.
For many people, that means looking at posture, movement habits, stress levels, workstation setup, sleep position, and neck function.
Once those factors are addressed, headaches often become much easier to manage.
The real question is: What is causing the headache to keep coming back?
Rather than focusing solely on relieving the pain, try to identify the factors that may be contributing to it.
For many people, that means looking at posture, movement habits, stress levels, workstation setup, sleep position, and neck function.
Once those factors are addressed, headaches often become much easier to manage.
Final Thoughts
Can chiropractic care help headaches?
For many people suffering from tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches, the answer is yes.
But in my experience, the real value isn't simply in relieving the headache.
It's in identifying what is causing it to keep returning.
Over the years I've found that the biggest improvements often come from a combination of hands-on care, better movement, improved posture, and small daily habits.
The goal isn't to make dramatic changes overnight.
The goal is to make small, consistent changes that allow your body to settle and function better over time.
Because often, the headache isn't the real problem.
For many people suffering from tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches, the answer is yes.
But in my experience, the real value isn't simply in relieving the headache.
It's in identifying what is causing it to keep returning.
Over the years I've found that the biggest improvements often come from a combination of hands-on care, better movement, improved posture, and small daily habits.
The goal isn't to make dramatic changes overnight.
The goal is to make small, consistent changes that allow your body to settle and function better over time.
Because often, the headache isn't the real problem.
Need Some Help?
If headaches are affecting your daily life and you're looking for an experienced chiropractor near Hobsonville, we'd love to help. Book an assessment today to find out whether chiropractic care is right for you.
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