A large share of recurring headaches are cervicogenic, meaning they originate in the neck rather than the head. Joints at the top of the neck refer pain up into the skull, behind the eyes, and around the temples. That is why headaches often respond to correcting the neck, and why painkillers keep working for a few hours and then stop working at all.
Types We See Most
- Tension headaches — a band of pressure around the head, often with a tight neck and shoulders
- Cervicogenic headaches — starting at the base of the skull and spreading forward, usually one-sided
- Migraines — often with light or sound sensitivity, nausea, and visual aura
- Post-traumatic headaches — beginning after a car accident or head injury, sometimes long after
Why the Neck Is So Often Involved
The top of the cervical spine sits directly beneath the brainstem, and the nerves there share pathways with the nerves that supply the face and scalp. When those upper joints lose normal motion, the brain can interpret the irritation as pain in the head. That mechanism is why someone with no neck pain at all can still have a headache that originates in the neck.
Forward head posture from desks and phones makes it worse, which is why headaches and neck pain so often arrive together.
How Dr. Hansen Treats It
The exam looks at how the upper cervical spine is positioned and moving, along with posture and any history of injury. Because this area demands precision, Dr. Hansen frequently uses upper cervical specific technique — toggle recoil, Kale HIO knee-chest, or occipital lift — which correct the top of the neck with light, exact contacts rather than force.
Care is drug-free. The goal is to remove the mechanical driver so the headaches stop being generated in the first place, rather than managing them after they start.
Keep Track of Your Triggers
Bring what you know. How often, what time of day, what you were doing beforehand, what helps, what does not. Patterns that seem meaningless to you are frequently the most useful thing in the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractic really help migraines?
Many recurring headaches, including some diagnosed as migraines, have a mechanical component in the neck that responds to care. Dr. Hansen will examine you and give you a straight answer about whether he thinks yours is one of them.
How many visits before headaches improve?
It varies with how long they have been going on and what is driving them. You will get an honest estimate after the exam, not a sales number before it.
Should I stop my headache medication?
Never change prescribed medication without talking to the doctor who prescribed it. Chiropractic care addresses a different part of the problem and is not a reason to stop anything on your own.
What if my headaches started after a car accident?
Post-traumatic headaches are common and can begin days or weeks after the collision. Start with the auto accident injury page — New York no-fault has filing deadlines that matter.
Last reviewed 2026-09-10 by Hansen Chiropractic. This page is general information, not medical advice. Individual results vary.
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