Not all headaches are the same. Some begin at the base of the skull and wrap forward (often neck-related). Others pulse behind the eyes with light/sound sensitivity (often migraine). This post explains how I differentiate patterns in the clinic and how chiropractic fits—always with an eye toward collaboration with your MD or neurologist when needed.
Patterns I Look For
- Neck-related (cervicogenic): Triggered by posture, starts in neck, worsens with certain neck motions, often one-sided.
- Migraine-like: Throbbing, nausea, light/sound sensitivity, family history, may have aura.
- Mixed: Neck tension as a frequent “kick-off” to a migraine day.
Chiropractic Role
- For neck-related headaches: cervical/thoracic adjustments, soft-tissue work, posture drills, stress-tolerant breath work.
- For mixed patterns: address neck triggers and build a pacing plan; coordinate with your clinician on migraine-specific strategies.
- For migraine-dominant: I screen and refer/coordinate. We still treat the neck if it’s a consistent aggravator—care is gentle and conservative.
Urgent symptoms: “worst headache,” new neurologic signs, fever, vision loss—seek medical care immediately.
Home Strategies (Neck-Related)
- Hourly reset: Chin glides (5×3 seconds), shoulder opens (30 seconds).
- Hydration + sleep: Both reduce frequency for many patients.
- Trigger log: Track posture, stress, foods, and sleep to spot patterns.