Treating Headaches and Migraines
Headaches are the most common disorder of the nervous system and it is estimated around 50% of people will have headaches at some point during any given year and that 90% of people will be affected at some point in their lives. They range in severity from severe and disabling to mild and more annoying than painful.
Despite having the potential to have a serious cause, the vast majority of headaches are not serious in nature and come under the category of ‘Primary headaches’ – meaning they are their own diagnosis, rather than being a symptom of an underlying problem.
The three main types of primary headache are Migraines, Tension-type headache and Cervicogenic headache (headache caused by the muscles and joints in the neck). All three of these types of headaches can respond well to manual therapy such as Chiropractic treatment.
If headaches or migraines are disrupting your work, sleep or family life, our award-winning team of chiropractors in Worcester can usually see you within 1–2 days — and in almost all cases assessment and your first treatment happen at the same visit.
Book a Headache Assessment Call 01905 428956
★ 5.0 from 163 Google reviews · Appointments usually within 1–2 days · No GP referral needed · GCC-registered chiropractors
“I’ve suffered from severe headaches most days for years and David identified the areas in my neck that could be a causing factor — over the past month the severity and frequency of them are significantly lower! He is incredibly good at explaining what he’s doing… Overall it’s been a very worthwhile endeavour and I would highly recommend this place!”
— Alex G., Google review
Can a Chiropractor Help with Headaches and Migraines?
Often people don’t realise a chiropractor can help with their headaches. Different types of headache respond better than others, with migraines and cervicogenic headaches (those originating from the neck) responding best.
Research indicates that chiropractic treatment can reduce both the severity and the frequency of migraine attacks — it has been shown to be as effective as the preventative medication Amitriptyline, with fewer reported side-effects. One reason may be that treatment can ease the physical manifestations of stress, which 83% of people name as their top migraine trigger. It is also known that a large proportion of people with migraines have problems in the neck, the treatment of which can relieve symptoms.
Cervicogenic headaches respond exceptionally well to treatment, often resolving within just a couple of sessions — and you do not have to have neck pain to get them. Headaches caused by TMJ (jaw joint) problems also respond very well — see our guide to chiropractic treatment for jaw problems.
And where chiropractic is not the right answer, we will say so: your chiropractor can refer you to your GP, an ophthalmologist or another medical professional as appropriate.
What is causing my headache?
There are many possible causes for primary headaches, and these vary slightly dependent on the type of headache.
Migraines:
The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but it is thought to be related to temporary changes to the nerves, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain. Sometimes migraines are associated with certain triggers such as hormones (many women will find they get migraines at the beginning of their menstrual cycle), stress, tiredness or certain foods.
Tension-type Headache:
The exact cause of tension-headaches is unknown, but, like migraines, there are some common triggers. These can include things such as stress and anxiety, poor posture, tension in the muscles around the neck, shoulder and jaw, tiredness and certain smells such as strong perfumes.
Cervicogenic Headache:
These are caused by tension in the joints and muscles of the neck. This can be related to an injury (recent or previous such as whiplash) or can build up slowly due to normal day-to-day stresses on the neck.
What Does the Location of My Headache Mean?
The position of your headache can offer useful clues about which type of headache you have:
- Across the forehead, or like a tight band around both sides of the head — the classic pattern of a tension-type headache.
- One-sided and throbbing, often with nausea, visual disturbance or sensitivity to light and sound — typical of migraine.
- Starting at the base of the skull or top of the neck and radiating up over the head, usually on one side and sometimes into the area behind the eye — the hallmark of a cervicogenic headache.
- Behind or around one eye — seen in migraine and in the rarer cluster headache.
- A “pinpoint” headache — pain at one very specific spot on the head — most often relates to a tender muscular trigger point or irritation of a small superficial nerve (such as the occipital nerves at the back of the head), rather than anything sinister. A new or persistent pain at one precise point is still worth having examined.
Location alone is never a complete diagnosis — your history and a thorough examination matter far more — but if your headache keeps returning to the same spot, an examination can usually identify the structure responsible. If your headache comes with any of the warning signs below, please speak to your GP first.
What could indicate my headache is serious?
The majority of headaches are not serious in nature, however there are a few indications that you should seek a medical opinion including:
- Sudden onset of a very severe headache
- New onset of headaches (when you have never suffered with headaches before) especially if you are over 50, pregnant or have an underlying health condition
- A new headache that wakes you up from sleep
- If your headache is associated with any other symptoms of feeling unwell such as a fever, neck stiffness, vomiting or a rash
- Headache that is bought on by physical exertion, coughing, laughing or sneezing
If you have any of the above, please consult your GP urgently, or if it is out of hours, use the 111 service.
Self-help for Headaches
Many headache’s can be self-managed through a variety of methods. Stress is one of the most common headache triggers, so although avoiding stress altogether is almost impossible, taking active steps to manage your stress levels can be extremely effective. Mindfulness, guided meditation, exercise or even just making time to do an activity you enjoy such as reading, sewing or gardening can be excellent ways to help manage the body’s response to stress.
Migraines in particular are commonly triggered by specific foods. These vary between individuals, but common triggers include alcohol (especially red wine), coffee, chocolate and citrus fruits. This situation is where something like a headache diary can become useful in picking up any potential patterns in your headache and identifying triggers.
A lot of headaches will respond well to simple over the counter painkillers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen, particularly if they are taken fairly soon after the headache starts. If you are taking any other prescribed medications or have any pre-existing medical conditions, please check with your GP or pharmacist before taking these medications.
What you can expect when you see a Chiropractor about headaches
Correct diagnosis of the type of headache you are experiencing is essential for effective management. Chiropractors who are registered with the General Chiropractic Council undertake a 5-year full-time degree including a year of supervised practice in order to ensure that they can do this effectively.
Your Chiropractor will take a full, detailed history of both your headache and your medical history, including some family medical history. They will then perform a thorough physical examination including taking your blood pressure, doing a neurological examination and orthopaedic examination of your head and neck including your jaw. After this, they will explain the type of headache that you have and give you advice on the best way to manage it and the types of treatment available. You can then work together to formulate a plan of treatment that is best suited to both the type of headache that you have, as well as your personal preferences regarding treatment.
“After being told I needed a lumbar puncture to determine what was causing my bad headaches I thought I’d try a chiropractor first. It only took a couple of sessions for my headaches (which I’d been suffering from for months) to completely go. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking relief from headaches and migraines.”
— Beth P., Google review
Treatment options for headaches
Once your Chiropractor has established which type of headache you have, they may offer you treatment or it may be appropriate to refer you back to your GP or to a specialist.
If Chiropractic treatment is appropriate there are many options available. These may include spinal manipulation or mobilisation, soft tissue techniques such as massage and trigger point release (releasing the knots in specific muscles), treatment of the jaw, dry needling (a western medical form of acupuncture) and exercises to strengthen the deep stabilising muscles in your neck as well as helping you to identify any headache triggers and come up with self-management strategies to deal with those.
Book Your Headache Appointment Online
Choose a time that suits you below, or call us on 01905 428956 — appointments are usually available within 1–2 days, and in almost all cases treatment is included in your first visit.
Visiting Us for Headache Treatment
You’ll find us at 102 Bromyard Road, St John’s, Worcester, WR2 5DJ — a few minutes from the city centre on the west side of the river. There is one parking space directly in front of the clinic and three more in the Methodist Church car park around 50 m away. Directions, opening hours and fees are on our appointments page.
As well as Worcester itself, we regularly treat headache and migraine patients from St John’s, Hallow, Martley and the villages towards Bromyard, and from Malvern — we’re around 20 minutes’ drive from Great Malvern.
Headache and Migraine FAQs
Can a chiropractor help with migraines?
Yes. Research indicates that chiropractic treatment can reduce both the severity and the frequency of migraine attacks, and it has been shown to be as effective as the preventative medication Amitriptyline, with fewer reported side-effects. Your chiropractor will first examine you to confirm that migraine is the correct diagnosis and that treatment is appropriate for you.
How much does headache treatment cost in Worcester?
Your initial consultation is £85, which includes a full history, a neurological and orthopaedic examination, a clear explanation of what is causing your headaches and — in almost all cases — your first treatment. Follow-up treatments are £50.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Usually within 1–2 days. You can book online at any time of day or call us on 01905 428956. Treatment normally starts at your first visit, so you don’t wait longer in pain than you need to.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the type of headache. Cervicogenic headaches often respond exceptionally well, sometimes resolving within just a couple of sessions. Migraines are usually managed with a short course of treatment combined with trigger management and exercises, and your chiropractor will review your progress with you at every stage.
Will I need a scan before treatment?
Usually not. The vast majority of headaches can be diagnosed from your history together with a neurological and orthopaedic examination. If anything in your examination suggests that further investigation is needed, we will refer you to your GP or a specialist first.
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