Treatment for Headaches & Migraines
Headaches can range from an occasional ache or feeling of pressure to recurring episodes that interfere with work, exercise, sleep and everyday life.
Some headaches are associated with tension or sensitivity in the neck, upper back, shoulders or jaw. Others, including migraine, involve more complex neurological processes and may occur alongside symptoms such as nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.
At Beech Health, our osteopaths in New Lambton assess your headache presentation to understand whether musculoskeletal factors may be contributing and whether osteopathic care is appropriate.
What Headaches & Migraines Feel Like
Headache symptoms vary considerably between people and between episodes. Pain may be felt around the temples, forehead, behind the eyes, at the base of the skull or on one or both sides of the head.
Back pain can affect different areas of the spine and present in many ways. Some people experience a constant ache, while others notice sharp pain with specific movements. Symptoms may change throughout the day depending on activity, posture and loading.
Some people notice their headaches alongside neck stiffness, prolonged desk work, stress, jaw tension or changes in activity.
Common features can include:
- Aching, pressure or throbbing pain around the head.
- Pain beginning around the neck or base of the skull.
- Neck or upper back stiffness.
- Sensitivity to light or sound.
- Nausea during some migraine episodes.
- Symptoms aggravated by particular movements, postures or activities.
Understanding the pattern of your symptoms is an important part of determining what type of care may be appropriate.
What Causes Headaches & Migraines?
There are many different types of headache, and there is rarely one explanation that applies to everyone.
Migraine is a neurological disorder rather than simply a problem caused by tight muscles or poor posture. However, neck pain, muscle tension and other musculoskeletal symptoms can occur alongside migraine and may contribute to the overall symptom burden.
Neck-Related Headaches
Some headaches originate from structures in the upper cervical spine. These are commonly referred to as cervicogenic headaches and may be associated with restricted or painful neck movement.
Muscle Tension
Increased tension through the neck, shoulders and muscles around the base of the skull can accompany some headache presentations.
Jaw Tension
Clenching, grinding and tension around the jaw can contribute to pain around the temples, face, neck and head in some people.
Load and Posture
Long periods at a desk, repetitive work, sustained positions and sudden changes in activity can aggravate neck discomfort and headache symptoms in susceptible people.
Migraine
Migraine involves changes within the nervous system and may be influenced by a range of individual factors. Osteopathic assessment does not replace medical management of migraine, but it can help identify musculoskeletal symptoms occurring alongside it.
Helpful Information About Headaches & Migraines
Why Headaches Can Keep Returning
Recurring headaches do not necessarily mean that something is continually being damaged.
Symptoms may be influenced by several interacting factors, including neck sensitivity, muscle tension, sleep, stress, workload, jaw tension and, in migraine, the underlying neurological condition.
Identifying your individual pattern can help guide appropriate management rather than simply responding to each episode as it occurs.
How Osteopathy May Help With Headaches
Osteopathic care focuses on identifying musculoskeletal factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
At Beech Health in New Lambton, your osteopath may assess your neck and upper back movement, muscle tone, jaw mechanics, movement habits and relevant physical loads.
Depending on your presentation, care may focus on:
- Improving comfortable movement through the neck and upper back.
- Reducing associated muscle and joint sensitivity.
- Addressing relevant jaw or shoulder tension.
- Modifying aggravating activities or sustained positions.
- Providing exercises and strategies to improve movement and load tolerance.
Where your symptoms suggest that another form of assessment or treatment is needed, we can also discuss referral to your GP or another appropriate health professional.
What You Can Do During a Headache
What helps will depend on the type of headache and your individual triggers.
For headaches associated with neck or muscular discomfort, helpful strategies may include:
- Changing position regularly during prolonged desk work.
- Gentle neck and upper back movement within comfortable limits.
- Taking regular breaks from sustained positions.
- Managing physical workloads rather than suddenly increasing them.
- Following an individual exercise or movement plan where appropriate.
For migraine, following your established migraine management plan and using prescribed medication as directed by your doctor remains important.
Your osteopath can help determine which strategies are appropriate for your particular presentation.
When Headaches Need Medical Assessment
Most headaches are not caused by a serious underlying problem, but some symptoms require prompt medical assessment.
Seek urgent medical care for a sudden, extremely severe or unusual headache, particularly if it occurs with weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, significant visual disturbance, fever or marked neck stiffness.
A new headache following significant head trauma, or a substantial unexplained change in your usual headache pattern, should also be medically assessed.
If we identify features during your consultation that are not appropriate for osteopathic management, we will recommend further medical assessment.
FAQs
Can an osteopath help with headaches?
Some headache presentations have a musculoskeletal component, particularly when symptoms are associated with neck pain, stiffness or movement. An osteopath can assess whether these factors are relevant to your headaches and discuss appropriate management.
Are migraines caused by neck problems?
No. Migraine is a neurological disorder and is not simply caused by neck stiffness or poor posture. Neck pain and stiffness can, however, occur before, during or between migraine attacks and may warrant assessment in their own right.
Can tight neck muscles cause headaches?
Muscle tension around the neck, shoulders and base of the skull can be associated with some headache presentations. Assessment can help determine whether this appears relevant to your symptoms rather than assuming muscle tension is always the cause.
Should I exercise if I have headaches?
Regular physical activity is generally beneficial, but what is appropriate during a headache depends on the type and severity of your symptoms. Gentle movement may be comfortable for some neck-related headaches, while vigorous activity can aggravate migraine during an attack.
When should I see a doctor about headaches?
Medical assessment is appropriate for new or unexplained headaches, headaches that are becoming more frequent or severe, or symptoms that are significantly changing. Sudden severe headache or headache accompanied by neurological symptoms requires urgent assessment.
Why Seeing a Local Osteopath in New Lambton Matters
Recurring headaches can affect concentration, sleep, exercise and confidence in everyday activities. When neck or musculoskeletal symptoms are part of the picture, having them properly assessed can help clarify what may be contributing and what can realistically be changed.
Being treated locally also makes reassessment and progression easier, particularly when symptoms are influenced by work, training or other ongoing physical demands.
At Beech Health in New Lambton, we aim to give you a clear explanation of what we find and an individual management plan rather than treating every headache in the same way.
What to Expect During Your Session
Your appointment starts with a detailed conversation about your headaches, including where you feel them, how often they occur, how long they last and whether you experience symptoms such as neck pain, nausea, visual changes or sensitivity to light and sound.
We’ll also ask about relevant medical history and look for features that may indicate that medical assessment is needed.
Where appropriate, we’ll assess how your neck, upper back, shoulders and jaw are moving and identify musculoskeletal factors that may be relevant to your symptoms.
Treatment may include hands-on techniques, movement and exercise advice, and strategies for managing relevant physical loads. We check in regularly so you remain informed and comfortable throughout your care.
Choosing The Right Osteopath For You
To find the practitioner who best fits your needs, explore our team:
- Dr Renae Luton – Principal Osteopath
- Dr Alan Sidebottom – Osteopath
- Dr Stefani Kralj – Osteopath
- Dr Joshua Naylor – Osteopath
Check out their profiles to get a sense of their approach and see who feels like the right match for you.
Our Osteopaths at Beech Health New Lambton
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Feel better. Move better. Live better with Osteopathy.