Chiropractic Care for Headaches and Neck-Related Head Pain
Headaches can interfere with work, sleep, exercise, concentration, driving, and everyday activities. For many people, headaches are also accompanied by neck stiffness, muscle tension, restricted movement, shoulder tightness, or discomfort at the base of the skull.
At Newbold Chiropractic in Half Moon Bay, Dr. Sidhartha Jandial, DC, an experienced and highly rated Half Moon Bay chiropractor, provides individualized chiropractic care for patients experiencing:
- Cervicogenic headaches
- Tension-type headaches
- Headaches associated with neck pain
- Headaches related to muscle tension
- Headaches associated with prolonged computer or smartphone use
- Headaches following certain neck injuries
- Recurring headaches accompanied by neck stiffness or restricted movement
Treatment is personalized according to each patient's headache pattern, health history, neck symptoms, examination findings, lifestyle, and treatment goals.
Newbold Chiropractic serves patients throughout Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach, Montara, and surrounding Coastside communities.
Can Neck Problems Cause Headaches?
Yes. Certain headache patterns can originate from or be influenced by structures in the neck.
The joints, muscles, and surrounding tissues in the upper cervical region share neurological pathways with areas involved in head pain. This helps explain why a problem involving the neck can sometimes produce discomfort that is felt in the head.
Musculoskeletal factors associated with certain headaches may include:
- Restricted neck movement
- Muscle tension
- Upper-back stiffness
- Shoulder tension
- Previous neck injuries
- Repetitive activities
- Prolonged desk work
- Computer use
- Smartphone use
- Sustained postures
When headaches occur together with neck pain or stiffness, evaluating the cervical spine and surrounding muscles can help identify factors that may be contributing to the symptoms.
What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a headache that originates from structures in the neck.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain beginning in the neck or base of the skull
- Headache occurring primarily on one side
- Pain traveling toward the forehead or temple
- Discomfort around or behind the eye
- Reduced neck movement
- Headache triggered by certain neck positions
- Neck stiffness
- Shoulder discomfort
Because cervicogenic headaches originate from the cervical region, treatment directed toward neck mobility, muscle tension, and related musculoskeletal findings can play an important role in care.
Research has found favorable results for manual therapy and exercise in patients with cervicogenic headache.[1,2]
Chiropractic Care for Tension-Type Headaches
Tension-type headaches commonly create a dull, aching, pressure-like sensation involving the head.
Patients may describe:
- Tightness around the forehead
- Pressure around the temples
- A band-like feeling around the head
- Neck muscle tension
- Shoulder tightness
- Upper-back discomfort
- Headaches after prolonged computer work
- Symptoms associated with muscular fatigue
When neck tension, mobility restrictions, or postural strain accompany tension-type headaches, chiropractic and manual care may be incorporated into treatment.
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials found favorable results with several physical therapy approaches directed toward the cervical and cranio-cervical region for tension-type headaches.[3]
Headaches Associated With Neck Pain and Stiffness
Many patients experience headaches together with:
- Neck pain
- Restricted neck movement
- Upper-back tension
- Shoulder tightness
- Muscle soreness
- Discomfort at the base of the skull
- Symptoms aggravated by prolonged sitting
- Headaches after computer or smartphone use
For these patients, treatment can focus on improving comfortable neck movement, addressing joint restrictions, reducing muscle tension, and improving the way the neck and upper back move during everyday activities.
Can Poor Posture Contribute to Headaches?
Long periods in the same position can place additional physical demands on the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
Common examples include:
- Computer work
- Smartphone use
- Tablet use
- Driving
- Studying
- Desk work
- Gaming
Over time, these activities may contribute to muscle fatigue, neck tension, stiffness, and headache symptoms in some patients.
Dr. Jandial may incorporate:
- Movement breaks
- Workstation adjustments
- Monitor positioning
- Smartphone-use modifications
- Neck and upper-back exercises
- Mobility exercises
- Postural endurance exercises
These strategies can complement chiropractic treatment and help address the physical demands that contribute to recurring symptoms.
Headaches and Tech Neck
The increasing amount of time people spend using computers, smartphones, and tablets has changed the way many patients use their necks throughout the day.
Long periods looking downward or sitting at a computer can contribute to:
- Neck tension
- Shoulder tightness
- Upper-back fatigue
- Restricted movement
- Headaches associated with muscle tension
When headaches consistently occur alongside these symptoms, a chiropractic evaluation can help identify relevant musculoskeletal findings and provide an individualized treatment approach.
Headaches Following Whiplash or Neck Injury
Headaches can occur following injuries such as:
- Automobile accidents
- Whiplash
- Sports injuries
- Falls
- Sudden neck movements
After a neck injury, patients may experience:
- Headaches
- Neck stiffness
- Limited movement
- Muscle tension
- Shoulder discomfort
- Upper-back soreness
Dr. Jandial evaluates the history of the injury together with the patient's neck movement, muscle tension, joint mobility, and other clinical findings before recommending treatment.
Migraine and Neck Tension
Migraine is a neurological condition that can involve:
- Moderate to severe head pain
- Throbbing or pulsating discomfort
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Nausea
- Visual or sensory symptoms
Many people who experience migraines also report neck pain, stiffness, or muscle tension.
When migraine occurs alongside musculoskeletal neck symptoms, chiropractic care can focus on those accompanying physical factors, including:
- Neck mobility
- Muscle tension
- Upper-back stiffness
- Posture
- Movement habits
This allows chiropractic care to be incorporated as part of a broader approach to managing the musculoskeletal components that accompany headache symptoms.
When Should You See a Chiropractor for Headaches?
Consider scheduling a chiropractic evaluation when your headaches:
- Repeatedly occur with neck pain
- Are associated with neck stiffness
- Begin near the neck or base of the skull
- Occur with restricted neck movement
- Are aggravated by certain neck positions
- Develop after prolonged computer or smartphone use
- Are associated with shoulder or upper-back tension
- Began after a neck injury or whiplash
- Continue to interfere with work, exercise, sleep, or everyday activities
A chiropractic examination can help identify whether neck joints, muscles, posture, or movement patterns are contributing to your headache symptoms.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help With Headaches?
Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine, joints, muscles, posture, and movement.
For patients whose headaches have a musculoskeletal component, treatment may focus on:
- Improving neck mobility
- Addressing restricted joint movement
- Reducing muscle tension
- Improving upper-back movement
- Addressing posture-related strain
- Improving comfortable movement
- Reducing the physical demands associated with prolonged sitting or technology use
At Newbold Chiropractic, treatment is personalized rather than based on a one-size-fits-all headache protocol.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments may be used to address restricted joint movement involving the cervical and upper thoracic spine.
Treatment techniques are selected according to the patient's:
- Symptoms
- Age
- Health history
- Examination findings
- Comfort
- Treatment goals
The goal is to improve comfortable joint movement and help address musculoskeletal factors associated with the patient's symptoms.
Manual and Soft-Tissue Therapy
Muscle tension involving the:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Upper back
- Base of the skull
can accompany certain headache patterns.
Manual and soft-tissue techniques may be incorporated to address areas of muscle tension and improve comfortable movement.
Neuromuscular Reeducation
Neuromuscular exercises may be used to improve:
- Movement
- Coordination
- Posture
- Muscular control
- Functional movement
These exercises can complement hands-on chiropractic treatment.
Exercise and Home Care
Exercise recommendations may focus on:
- Neck mobility
- Upper-back mobility
- Postural endurance
- Shoulder-blade function
- Gentle strengthening
- Stretching
- Movement breaks
Home recommendations are individualized according to the patient's symptoms, examination findings, activities, and daily physical demands.
Postural and Ergonomic Recommendations
For patients whose headaches are associated with desk work or technology use, small changes can make everyday activities more comfortable.
Recommendations may address:
- Monitor height
- Workstation positioning
- Desk setup
- Sitting habits
- Smartphone positioning
- Movement breaks
- Sleep positioning
These strategies help reduce unnecessary physical stress on the neck and upper back between visits.
Who May Benefit From Chiropractic Headache Care?
Office Workers and Remote Professionals
Long periods of computer use can contribute to neck and shoulder tension.
When headaches occur together with these symptoms, chiropractic care can address joint mobility, muscle tension, movement, and ergonomic factors.
Students
Studying, laptop use, smartphones, tablets, and prolonged sitting can place additional demands on the neck and upper back.
Treatment and movement recommendations can help address posture-related discomfort and muscle tension.
Active Adults and Athletes
Activities such as:
- Surfing
- Cycling
- Golf
- Running
- Strength training
- Swimming
- Hiking
can place repetitive demands on the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
When headaches occur together with neck or upper-back symptoms, chiropractic care may help address the associated musculoskeletal findings.
Patients With Previous Whiplash or Neck Injuries
Patients who develop headaches after a neck injury may also experience restricted movement, muscle tension, stiffness, and discomfort.
Treatment can focus on restoring comfortable neck and upper-back movement and addressing the physical findings related to the injury.
Seniors and Older Adults
Age-related changes in the cervical spine can contribute to neck stiffness and reduced mobility.
Chiropractic care can be modified according to the patient's age, health history, physical condition, and examination findings.
What Does the Research Say About Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headaches?
Research has evaluated manual therapy, spinal manipulation, mobilization, and exercise for cervicogenic headaches.
A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis involving 20 studies and 1,439 patients found that manual and exercise therapies were associated with improvements in headache intensity, frequency, and disability.[1]
Another systematic review published in Headache found that several manual therapy approaches demonstrated beneficial effects for cervicogenic headache.[2]
These findings support an approach that combines appropriate hands-on treatment with exercise, mobility, and movement recommendations.
At Newbold Chiropractic, Dr. Jandial uses the patient's examination findings to determine which components of care are most appropriate.
Helping You Get Back to Your Day Without Headaches Getting in the Way
Recurring headaches can affect nearly every part of daily life.
They may make it difficult to:
- Concentrate at work
- Exercise
- Sleep comfortably
- Drive
- Use a computer
- Spend time with family
- Participate in recreational activities
- Enjoy the Coastside lifestyle
When neck tension, stiffness, restricted movement, or muscle fatigue are contributing to headache symptoms, addressing those physical factors can help patients move more comfortably and function better throughout the day.
The goal is to help you reduce the physical strain associated with your headaches and return more comfortably to the activities that matter to you.
What to Expect at Your First Chiropractic Visit for Headaches
Your first visit begins with a consultation and detailed health history.
Dr. Jandial may ask about:
- When your headaches began
- Where the pain occurs
- How often headaches occur
- How long they last
- Whether neck pain accompanies them
- Whether neck stiffness is present
- Activities that aggravate symptoms
- Previous head or neck injuries
- Work and technology use
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Previous treatment
- Your treatment goals
A physical examination may evaluate:
- Neck range of motion
- Joint mobility
- Muscle tension
- Posture
- Upper-back movement
- Orthopedic findings
- Neurological findings when appropriate
- Functional movement
Dr. Jandial will explain the findings and develop an individualized treatment plan.
When appropriate, treatment may begin during the initial visit.
Why Choose Dr. Sidhartha Jandial, DC, for Headache Care?
Dr. Sidhartha Jandial, DC, is an experienced and highly rated chiropractor serving Half Moon Bay and the Coastside.
At Newbold Chiropractic, headache care is personalized according to each patient's:
- Headache pattern
- Neck symptoms
- Examination findings
- Muscle tension
- Joint mobility
- Previous injuries
- Work demands
- Technology use
- Lifestyle
- Treatment goals
Care focuses on addressing musculoskeletal factors that may contribute to headache symptoms, improving comfortable neck movement, reducing muscle tension, and helping patients return to normal activities with greater comfort.
Newbold Chiropractic has served the Coastside community since 1983 and welcomes patients from Half Moon Bay, El Granada, Moss Beach, Montara, and surrounding communities.