Headaches can affect your ability to work, exercise, sleep and enjoy everyday life. If you experience recurring headaches, migraines, neck pain or tension around the base of your skull, understanding the type of headache you have is an important first step towards finding appropriate care.
At Curl Curl Chiropractic in North Curl Curl, chiropractor Daniel Ryken provides individualised assessments for people experiencing headaches and associated neck and musculoskeletal discomfort. Where appropriate, chiropractic care may form part of a broader approach to managing musculoskeletal symptoms, alongside medical assessment and other recommended treatments.
We aim to understand your symptoms, assess whether musculoskeletal factors are worth addressing, and help you make informed decisions about your care.
Not all headaches have the same cause. Identifying the pattern of your symptoms helps determine what assessment and management may be appropriate.
Tension-type headaches are common and often feel like a dull ache, pressure or tight band around the forehead, temples or back of the head. The discomfort is frequently felt on both sides of the head.
Some people also experience tenderness in the muscles around the neck, shoulders and scalp. Although muscular discomfort can accompany a headache, it is important not to assume that muscle tension is always the underlying cause.
An assessment can help identify associated neck pain, restricted movement or other musculoskeletal issues that may be relevant to your symptoms.
Migraine is a neurological condition, not simply a severe tension headache. A migraine attack may involve moderate to severe head pain, often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and difficulty carrying out normal activities. Pain can occur on one or both sides of the head.
Some people experience an aura, such as temporary visual disturbances, before or during a migraine. Migraine symptoms and patterns vary considerably between individuals.
Migraine management may include medication, lifestyle strategies and other treatments recommended by your GP or treating medical practitioner. Chiropractic spinal manipulation has not been established as an effective treatment for migraine, so it should not replace evidence-based medical care.
Where neck pain or other musculoskeletal symptoms occur alongside migraine, these can be assessed separately to determine whether additional musculoskeletal care is appropriate.
Some headaches originate from structures in the neck. These are known as cervicogenic headaches.
They may be associated with neck pain, reduced neck movement or pain that begins in the neck and spreads towards the back, side or front of the head. Certain neck movements or positions may aggravate the symptoms.
However, neck pain can also occur with migraine and other headache disorders. Neck discomfort alone does not mean a headache originates in the neck.
A careful history and physical examination can help determine whether a musculoskeletal assessment is appropriate and whether further medical investigation is needed.
The role of chiropractic care depends on the type of headache, your symptoms, your medical history and the findings of your assessment.
At Curl Curl Chiropractic, Daniel Ryken will discuss your symptoms and relevant health history before considering whether chiropractic care is suitable.
Depending on your individual presentation, an assessment may include:
If appropriate, management may include advice about movement, activity and posture, along with individually selected musculoskeletal techniques. The options, potential benefits, limitations and risks should be discussed before treatment.
Chiropractic care is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or migraine treatment. The evidence for spinal manipulation as a treatment for migraine remains uncertain. If a headache appears to have a cause outside the scope of chiropractic care, referral to your GP or another appropriate health professional may be recommended.
Your initial consultation at Curl Curl Chiropractic begins with a discussion of your symptoms and health history.
Daniel will ask about when your headaches began, how often they occur, what they feel like and whether you experience other symptoms. Relevant physical examinations may then be performed to help determine the next steps.
If chiropractic care is appropriate, a management plan will be discussed with you. Treatment is not automatic: where further medical assessment is indicated, this will be explained.
The approach is individualised, with decisions based on your presentation, clinical findings, preferences and the available evidence.
Although many headaches are not caused by a serious underlying condition, some require urgent medical attention.
Seek emergency medical care for a sudden, extremely severe headache, particularly one that reaches maximum intensity rapidly, or a headache accompanied by symptoms such as confusion, seizure, new weakness, significant vision changes, fever with neck stiffness or loss of consciousness. Call 000 if you suspect a medical emergency.
Arrange prompt medical assessment if your headaches are new, progressively worsening, substantially different from your usual pattern, follow a head injury or are associated with other concerning symptoms.
If you are pregnant and develop a sudden, severe or unusual headache, seek urgent medical advice.
For recurring headaches or migraines that interfere with everyday life, speak with your GP about diagnosis and appropriate treatment options. A headache diary recording symptoms, frequency, possible triggers and medication use may also help your treating practitioner.
For further information, visit healthdirect's headache information.
Curl Curl Chiropractic is located in North Curl Curl on Sydney's Northern Beaches, across the road from the Curl Curl soccer fields at John Fisher Park.
Daniel Ryken is a university-qualified chiropractor who has been practising at Curl Curl Chiropractic since acquiring and incorporating the Neurobalance practice into the clinic. The practice provides chiropractic consultations for a range of musculoskeletal concerns, including neck pain, back pain and associated discomfort.
If you are looking for a chiropractor in Curl Curl or the Northern Beaches to assess neck pain or other musculoskeletal symptoms occurring alongside headaches, an initial consultation can help establish whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your situation.
Visit Curl Curl Chiropractic to learn more about the practice or arrange an appointment.
Further Reading and References
The following independent resources provide additional information about headaches, migraines and the evidence for spinal manipulation.
This page provides general health information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Headaches have many possible causes, and individual assessment is important. All treatment options have potential benefits and risks, and outcomes vary between individuals.
