Can a chiropractor help with headaches? For some people, yes. The best evidence is for headaches that start in the neck, known as cervicogenic headaches. Tension-type headaches have some support too. For migraine, the research is mixed, and I’d rather tell you that upfront.
If you’re reading this with a dull ache behind one eye, you’ve got company. Global estimates quoted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare suggest about 4 in 10 Australians were living with a headache disorder in 2021.
Which Headaches Can a Chiropractor Help With?
The answer depends a lot on what kind of headache you have.
| Headache type | What it often feels like | Research support for chiropractic care |
| Cervicogenic | Pain on one side that begins low at the back of the head and creeps towards the front | Strongest |
| Tension-type | A tight band or pressure around both sides of the head | Some |
| Migraine | A pounding, pulsing ache, usually on one side, that can bring queasiness and make bright lights or noise hard to bear | Limited and mixed |
Cervicogenic headaches start in the neck, often from a stiff joint near the top of the spine. Because the nerves of the upper neck and head are closely linked, a neck problem can be felt behind your eye or across your forehead.
Tension-type headaches are the most common type. They can feel like wearing a hat a size too small, and stress, short nights and screen time tend to make them worse.
Migraine is different. It’s a neurological condition that begins in the brain. A 2019 review found spinal manipulation reduced migraine days by a small amount, but called the results preliminary. A 2024 review found no effect on migraine pain intensity. If migraine is your main problem, your GP or neurologist should lead your care.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Headaches From Your Neck? A Quick Self-Check
Not sure if your neck is involved? These are some of the signs researchers use to identify a cervicogenic headache:
- The pain is mostly on one side and stays on that side
- It starts at the back of your head or the top of your neck and moves forward
- Pressing on your upper neck brings on the same pain
- Your neck feels stiff when you turn your head
- It flares after holding one position for a long time, like a long day at a desk
This isn’t a diagnosis, but if a few sound familiar, mention them at your appointment.
What Does the Research Say About Chiropractic for Headaches?
Research supports what many chiropractors and headache sufferers have seen for years: chiropractic care is linked to relief for some types of chronic headache, especially headaches that start in the neck. Studies report reductions in headache intensity, duration, and frequency.
4 Key Research Studies
Back in 2012, the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork published one of the earlier studies in this area. The study was small (with just 10 participants) and looked at men during a migraine attack. After a combination of neck massage and spinal manipulation, eight out of the 10 patients experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain. The study had no control group, so the authors called for further testing.
Four years later, a larger study focused on cervicogenic headaches—those originating from the neck. Researchers tracked 110 patients, examining the effects of upper neck and upper back manipulation on headache frequency, duration, and intensity. Patients who received six to eight sessions of manipulation over four weeks improved more in all three areas than those who had mobilisation and exercise, and the benefits held at three months.
In 2018, an even more extensive study involving 256 cervicogenic headache patients was conducted. This research aimed not only to test chiropractic care’s effectiveness, but also to explore how the number of chiropractic sessions influenced headache relief. The findings showed a “linear dose-response” effect, meaning the more treatments patients received, the better their results, up to the 18 sessions tested. Patients who had 18 sessions saw their headache days drop from about 16 to 8 every four weeks, although headache intensity changed very little.
Finally, in October 2020, a meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Pain evaluated seven studies on spinal manipulation therapy and cervicogenic headaches. The analysis found small, short-term improvements in headache intensity, frequency and disability compared with other manual therapies. The benefits faded over the long term, and the authors noted that more high-quality research is needed.
Research at a glance
| Study | Who | Main finding | Limits |
| 2012, migraine | 10 men | 8 in 10 had at least 50% less pain straight after | Tiny sample, no control group |
| 2016, cervicogenic | 110 adults | Manipulation beat mobilisation and exercise at 3 months | No placebo group |
| 2018, cervicogenic | 256 adults | 18 sessions halved headache days | Little change in pain intensity |
| 2020, cervicogenic | 7 trials | Small short-term benefits | Faded long term |
How Does a Chiropractor Treat Headaches?
Honestly, researchers still don’t fully understand why spinal manipulation helps some headaches. So I track what I can measure: how your neck moves and how often your headaches come.
Treatment usually includes spinal adjustments, which are quick, controlled movements to stiff joints in the neck or upper back. We use the Gonstead technique, with a careful assessment before any adjustment. I often add soft tissue work, a few home exercises and some desk advice. Don’t be surprised if I ask where your laptop sits.
How Many Chiropractic Sessions Do You Need for Headaches?
In the research, most people had somewhere between six and 18 sessions over four to six weeks. The 2018 trial found that every extra six sessions meant about one fewer headache day every four weeks.
Your plan depends on your headache type and how you respond. I check progress regularly, and if you’re not improving, I’ll say so, and we’ll look at other options, including referral. Our guide on how often you should see a chiropractor has more detail.
What Happens at Your First Visit?
We start with a chat about when your headaches began, what sets them off and what you’ve tried. If you’ve kept a headache diary, bring it along. Then I’ll check your neck, upper back, posture and nerve function. Both clinics have X-ray on site, but I only use it when there’s a clinical reason.
You’ll leave knowing what I think is going on and what the plan is. I’ll write to your GP if needed. If you have a chronic condition, ask your GP about a Medicare Chronic Condition Management Plan, which can cover part of the cost of up to five allied health visits a year.
When Should You See a GP or Call 000 Instead?
Some headaches need a doctor’s attention before anything else. Healthdirect advises calling triple zero (000) or going to an emergency department if you have a sudden, severe headache, or a headache with fever and vomiting, confusion, neck stiffness, blurred or double vision, loss of balance, or a seizure.
A stiff neck on its own is common with neck-related headaches. When it comes with a fever or confusion, though, treat it as an emergency.
See your GP soon if a headache follows a head injury, wakes you at night, gets worse over several weeks or starts when you cough. Worried about neck adjustments? Our article on chiropractic and stroke risk covers the evidence.
Simple Ways to Ease Headaches Between Visits
- Keep a headache diary. Write down the day, how bad it was, any other symptoms and anything that might have triggered it.
- When one starts, find somewhere dim and quiet to lie down, and hold a cold pack or warm compress against your neck or forehead.
- Get some fresh air, drink water and gently stretch your neck.
- Be careful with pain relief. Reaching for painkillers most days can backfire and cause rebound pain, known as medication overuse headache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor help with migraines?
Possibly, but the evidence is mixed. Some trials found a small drop in migraine days, others found no change in pain intensity. If you try it, do so alongside your GP’s or neurologist’s plan.
How safe are neck adjustments for headache relief?
Serious problems are rare. Your chiropractor should check for warning signs first and offer gentler options if adjustments don’t suit you. You can always say no.
Will I need a GP referral before booking a headache appointment?
No. Chiropractors in Australia are first-contact practitioners, so you can make the appointment yourself. You’ll only need a Chronic Condition Management Plan from your GP if you want to claim a Medicare rebate.
How soon might I notice a difference?
It varies. In the 2016 trial, people reported improvement one week after treatment started. Others take several weeks, and some don’t respond at all.
Book a Headache Assessment at Our Melbourne Clinic
If headaches keep getting in the way of your work, sleep or weekends, let’s find out what’s driving them. Book with us or read more about our headache and migraine care.
References
- Jahangiri Noudeh Y, Vatankhah N, Baradaran HR. Reduction of current migraine headache pain following neck massage and spinal manipulation. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2012;5(1):5–13. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v5i1.115
- Dunning JR, Butts R, Mourad F, et al. Upper cervical and upper thoracic manipulation versus mobilisation and exercise in patients with cervicogenic headache. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2016;17:64. doi:10.1186/s12891-016-0912-3
- Haas M, Bronfort G, Evans R, et al. Dose-response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for care of cervicogenic headache. Spine J. 2018;18(10):1741–1754. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2018.02.019
- Fernandez M, Moore C, Tan J, et al. Spinal manipulation for the management of cervicogenic headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Pain. 2020;24(9):1687–1702. doi:10.1002/ejp.1632
- Rist PM, Hernandez A, Bernstein C, et al. The impact of spinal manipulation on migraine pain and disability. Headache. 2019;59(4):532–542. doi:10.1111/head.13501
- Posadzki P, Klimek AT, Ernst E. Spinal manipulations for migraine: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev. 2024;13:296. doi:10.1186/s13643-024-02719-6
