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Expert Headaches & Migraines Treatment in Birmingham
Recurring headaches and migraines are not something you should simply learn to live with. They are your body signalling that something needs attention — and in many cases, the root cause is mechanical, originating in the neck and upper spine, and highly treatable.
At Harborne Chiropractic Clinic, we assess and treat the musculoskeletal contributors to headaches and migraines. For patients whose headaches have a cervicogenic or tension-related component — which is a significant proportion of regular sufferers — chiropractic care, combined with physiotherapy and sports massage where appropriate, can produce a meaningful reduction in both frequency and severity.
Why Headaches Deserve Proper Assessment
Most people who suffer from recurring headaches have never had a thorough musculoskeletal assessment. They manage the pain with over-the-counter medication, which can provide short-term relief but does nothing to address why the headaches are occurring — and in some cases, frequent use of pain relief can itself become a driver of chronic headache.
A proper clinical assessment looks beyond the head itself. The neck, upper spine, jaw, posture, workstation setup and lifestyle factors all contribute to headache patterns. Identifying which of these are driving your symptoms is the first step towards addressing them — not just masking them.
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Types of Headache We Treat
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate in the neck — caused by dysfunction in the joints, muscles or nerves of the cervical spine that refers pain into the head. The pain is typically felt at the back of the skull, spreading into the temples, forehead or behind the eyes. It is often accompanied by neck stiffness and is frequently worsened by sustained postures such as desk work or driving.
Chiropractic spinal manipulation is recommended for cervicogenic headaches in evidence-based clinical guidelines, and is one of the conditions where the evidence for chiropractic treatment is strongest.
Tension Headaches
The most common headache type — characterised by a dull, pressing sensation, often described as a tight band around the head. Tension headaches are frequently driven by muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and jaw, and by postural strain — particularly in people with desk-based or sedentary lifestyles.
Soft tissue treatment, cervical mobilisation and postural work can all meaningfully reduce the frequency and intensity of tension headaches. Our multi-disciplinary approach — combining chiropractic with sports massage and, where relevant, physiotherapy — is particularly well suited to this presentation.
Migraines
Migraines are more than severe headaches. They are a complex neurological condition — typically presenting as intense, throbbing, often one-sided pain lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days, frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting and acute sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Some sufferers also experience aura — visual or sensory disturbances that precede the headache phase.
While migraines have both neurological and environmental triggers, musculoskeletal tension in the neck and upper spine is a well-recognised contributing factor. Clinical research indicates that chiropractic spinal manipulation and soft tissue therapy can reduce migraine frequency and intensity in patients with a musculoskeletal component to their condition — offering a drug-free complement or alternative to medication-based management.
We are transparent about what chiropractic can and cannot achieve with migraines. We will assess your presentation thoroughly and give you an honest view of whether we believe treatment is likely to benefit you.
Occipital Neuralgia
Sharp, shooting or electric-shock pain originating at the base of the skull and radiating over the scalp, often into the back of the eye. Caused by irritation or compression of the occipital nerves, frequently associated with upper cervical joint dysfunction and suboccipital muscle tension — both of which respond well to chiropractic and soft tissue treatment.
Postural and Desk-Related Headaches
A growing category — driven by prolonged screen use, forward head posture and sedentary work patterns. The sustained load on the cervical spine and surrounding musculature builds over time, producing chronic tension that manifests as daily or near-daily headaches. Highly responsive to a combined approach of chiropractic, soft tissue work and postural correction.
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How We Assess and Treat Headaches at Harborne
Your initial consultation begins with a detailed clinical history — covering the pattern, frequency, duration and character of your headaches, what triggers or relieves them, your posture and working environment, sleep, stress and any previous investigations or treatment. This information is essential to accurate diagnosis.
We then carry out a thorough physical examination of the cervical spine, upper back, shoulders and jaw — assessing joint mobility, muscle tension, postural alignment and neurological function. Where relevant, we will also screen for red flags that would indicate the need for medical investigation rather than conservative treatment.
Treatment is built around what we find. Depending on your presentation, it may include:
- Spinal manipulation and mobilisation of the cervical and thoracic spine
- Soft tissue therapy targeting suboccipital muscles, neck and shoulder tension
- Dry needling or trigger point therapy where indicated
- Postural assessment and correction — including workstation advice
- Specific rehabilitation exercises for the deep neck flexors and upper back
- Lifestyle and trigger management guidance
Because we have chiropractors, physiotherapists and sports massage therapists working together under one roof, we can draw on a broader clinical toolkit than a standalone chiropractic clinic. For headache patients — where multiple contributing factors are often at play — this integrated approach consistently produces better outcomes.
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When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention
The vast majority of recurring headaches are benign and musculoskeletal in origin. However, some headache presentations require urgent medical investigation. Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any you have experienced before — sometimes described as a ‘thunderclap’ headache
- Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, rash, confusion or sensitivity to light that is new and severe
- Headache following a head injury
- Headache with neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, speech difficulties or vision loss
- Headache that is progressively worsening over days or weeks
- New headaches in anyone over 50 with no prior history
At your initial assessment, we screen for these presentations. If anything in your history raises concern, we will refer you appropriately and promptly.
