Headaches often start in the neck.
If your headache begins at the base of your skull and creeps forward, the problem may not be in your head at all.
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Not all headaches are the same, and that's the point. Cervicogenic headaches — ones that originate in the neck — are commonly mistaken for tension headaches or migraines and treated with medication that never touches the cause.
The upper cervical joints share nerve pathways with the head and face, which is how a neck problem becomes head pain. When that's the driver, addressing the neck is what changes the pattern. When it isn't, you deserve to be told that and pointed somewhere useful.
Patterns worth noticing
- Pain starting at the base of the skull and moving forward
- Headaches on one side, often the same side each time
- Pain triggered or worsened by neck movement or posture
- Neck stiffness or shoulder tightness alongside the headache
- Headaches that began after a car accident or head injury
- Frequent headaches after long desk or screen days
Common drivers
- Restricted or irritated upper cervical joints
- Whiplash and post-accident neck injury
- Posture — desk work, driving, and phone use
- Muscle tension through the neck and upper back
- Stress and clenching patterns
How we approach headaches by testing whether the neck is the driver
The exam is the whole game here: we're determining whether your headaches are coming from your cervical spine. If they are, hands-on care to that region is what changes things. If they aren't, we'll tell you and help you find the right person.
- An exam focused on the upper cervical spine and its nerve pathways
- Hands-on care to restore motion where it's restricted
- Soft-tissue work through the neck and upper back
- Posture and ergonomic guidance that holds between visits
- An honest answer if chiropractic isn't the right lever for your headaches
Headaches that need urgent care
A sudden, severe "worst headache of your life," a headache after a significant head injury, or one with fever, confusion, vision loss, or weakness needs emergency medical attention — not a chiropractic appointment.
Good to know
Common questions
Can chiropractic help migraines?
Evidence is stronger for cervicogenic headaches — those originating in the neck — than for classic migraine. Some migraine patients do get relief when there's a cervical component. We'll examine and give you an honest read rather than a promise.
My headaches started after a car accident.
That's common with whiplash, and it's worth being examined for both clinical and claim reasons. See our whiplash page — the 72-hour window matters.
How do I know if my neck is the cause?
Certain patterns point that way: pain starting at the base of the skull, one-sided pain, and headaches provoked by neck position. The exam confirms it.
This page is general education, not medical advice, and it isn't a substitute for an examination. Every case is different — the point of the first visit is to find out what's driving yours.
Let's find out what's actually causing it.
Same-week appointments in New Castle. A real exam with a real doctor — and we handle the insurance.