If you’ve ever had a headache that lingers no matter how many painkillers you take, you’re not alone. For many people in Kew and beyond, chronic headaches and migraines can feel like an unavoidable part of life. But did you know that some headaches actually start in the neck?
These are called cervicogenic headaches, and they’re more common than most people realise.
What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache is pain referred from the neck into the head. The nerves and muscles in your neck are closely connected to the base of your skull and jaw, which means tension or irritation here can easily trigger head pain.
Common signs your headache may be coming from your neck include:
- Pain that starts at the base of the skull and radiates forward
- Stiffness or reduced movement in the neck
- Headaches triggered by long hours at a desk or poor posture
- Associated shoulder or jaw tension
Why Does the Neck Trigger Headaches?
There are a few common culprits:
- Postural strain — Sitting at a desk, scrolling on your phone, or commuting can cause “tech neck” and place stress on the muscles and joints.
- Stress and tension — Emotional stress often shows up physically as clenched shoulders or a tight jaw.
- TMJ (jaw tension) — Jaw dysfunction is strongly linked to both neck tension and headaches.
Over time, these factors can sensitise the nerves around your neck and skull, leaving you with persistent or recurring headaches.
How Osteopathy Can Help
Osteopathy offers a safe, gentle, and effective approach to managing headaches that stem from the neck. Treatment may include:
- Gentle mobilisation of the neck and upper back to restore mobility.
- Soft tissue release to ease tight muscles in the shoulders, jaw, and base of the skull.
- Cranial osteopathy techniques to calm the nervous system and reduce headache frequency.
- Postural and lifestyle advice to help you avoid common triggers — whether that’s long days in front of a screen or jaw clenching during stressful times.
By treating the underlying dysfunction in the neck and surrounding areas, many people find their headaches become less frequent, less intense, and easier to manage.
Don’t Put Up With Headaches
Headaches may be common, but they are not something you simply have to live with. If you’re struggling with persistent headaches or migraines, your neck may be the missing piece of the puzzle.
📍 At OneHealth Osteopathy in Kew, we help uncover and address the root cause of cervicogenic headaches, so you can get back to living — not just managing pain.
👉 Book Your Appointment Today and take the first step toward lasting headache relief.
