Headaches & Migraines Treatment in Harborne, Birmingham

If you are dealing with headaches that keep coming back — whether that is a constant dull pressure, a throbbing pain behind one eye, or a full migraine that puts you in a dark room for hours — you already know how much it takes out of you. Headaches are not just pain. They affect your concentration at work, your patience at home, your ability to exercise, and your mood. Many of the patients we see at Harborne Chiropractic have been managing headaches with over-the-counter painkillers for months or years before they come to us. Some have tried prescription medication from their GP. Others have been told it is just stress and there is not much to be done. The truth is that a significant proportion of recurring headaches originate in the neck and upper back. These are called cervicogenic headaches, and they are caused by stiffness, tension, or irritation in the joints and muscles of the upper cervical spine. The nerve pathways from the top three vertebrae in your neck converge with the nerve pathways that serve your head and face. When there is a problem in your upper neck, you feel it as a headache. Tension headaches — the most common type — are closely linked to muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders, and base of the skull. Sitting at a desk, looking at screens, poor sleeping posture, and clenching your jaw all contribute. Even true migraines, which involve changes in blood flow and brain chemistry, can be triggered or worsened by cervical spine dysfunction. If your headaches tend to start at the back of your head or neck, are worse after long periods sitting, come on at the end of the working day, or are accompanied by neck stiffness, there is a very good chance that treating your neck will reduce or resolve them. We see this every week in clinic.

  • Recurring headaches several times a week
  • Pain behind the eyes or across the forehead
  • Sensitivity to light or sound during episodes
  • Tension and tightness in the neck and shoulders
  • Headaches that worsen towards the end of the day
  • Nausea or visual disturbance with severe headaches

How We Treat Headaches & Migraines

Cervical Adjustment

Targeted adjustment of the upper cervical spine — the joints most commonly involved in headache referral patterns. These adjustments are precise and gentle, restoring normal movement to joints that have become stiff or restricted. Many patients feel a reduction in their headache within hours of their first cervical adjustment. We use manual or instrument-assisted techniques based on your preference and comfort level.

Soft Tissue Work on Neck & Shoulders

Deep, focused work on the muscles that contribute to headache patterns. The suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull, the upper trapezius across the top of the shoulders, and the sternocleidomastoid muscles at the front of the neck are the most common culprits. We use trigger point therapy, deep tissue techniques, and myofascial release to reduce tension and break the cycle of muscle tightness that drives recurring headaches.

Posture Assessment

Forward head posture is the single biggest structural contributor to cervicogenic headaches. We assess your standing and sitting posture, review your workstation setup if desk work is a factor, and provide specific corrections. Even small changes — raising your monitor height by a few inches, adjusting your chair, or changing how you hold your phone — can significantly reduce the frequency of headaches over time.

Trigger Identification & Management

Headaches rarely have a single cause. We work with you to identify your personal trigger profile — this might include screen time, dehydration, poor sleep, stress, jaw clenching, or specific foods. Understanding your triggers gives you control over your headaches between appointments and helps prevent them from returning after treatment ends. We take a practical approach — small, sustainable changes rather than an overwhelming list of restrictions.

What to Expect

Your first appointment for headaches takes 45 minutes. We start with a detailed history of your headaches — how often they occur, where exactly you feel them, how long they last, what triggers them, and what you have tried so far. This matters because headaches have different patterns, and understanding yours helps us identify whether your neck is contributing. We carry out a thorough physical examination of your cervical spine, upper back, jaw, and the muscles of your neck and shoulders. We test the movement of each segment of your upper neck, check for tender trigger points in the muscles, and carry out neurological tests to assess nerve function. If your headaches have any features that suggest they need medical investigation — sudden onset, worst-ever headache, changes in vision that do not resolve — we will refer you for further assessment before treating. For the majority of patients, we can begin treatment on the same day. Treatment for headache patients typically involves gentle mobilisation or adjustment of the upper cervical joints, soft tissue work on the muscles of the neck and shoulders, and a review of your posture and daily habits. We pay particular attention to your suboccipital muscles — the small muscles at the base of the skull that are almost always involved in cervicogenic headaches. Between appointments, we give you stretches and exercises designed to maintain the changes we make in clinic. We also discuss potential triggers including screen time, hydration, sleep position, and jaw clenching. Follow-up sessions are 20 to 30 minutes, and most patients need around 6 sessions. Many patients report a noticeable reduction in headache frequency after the first two or three treatments.

1

Initial assessment — 45 minutes

2

Treatment begins in your first appointment

3

Ongoing plan — most patients need 6 sessions

Common Questions About Headaches & Migraines

Can a chiropractor help with migraines?
Yes, chiropractic treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines for many patients. While migraines are a complex neurological condition involving changes in brain blood flow and nerve signalling, research shows that cervical spine dysfunction is a common trigger. Stiffness and tension in the upper neck can lower the threshold at which a migraine is triggered, meaning that treating the neck can reduce how often migraines occur. We do not claim to cure migraines — they are a multifactorial condition. What we can do is address the musculoskeletal component. For many of our patients, this means fewer episodes per month, less severe symptoms when they do occur, and less reliance on medication. If your migraines are accompanied by neck stiffness, tend to start at the back of your head, or are triggered by sustained postures, there is a good chance that cervical treatment will help. We always work alongside your GP and any neurologist involved in your care.
How do you know if my headaches are coming from my neck?
We use a combination of clinical history and physical examination to determine whether your neck is contributing to your headaches. Key indicators include headaches that start at the back of the head or neck and spread forwards, headaches triggered or worsened by neck movement or sustained postures, tenderness in the upper cervical joints when we examine them, and restricted movement in the upper neck. We also carry out specific provocation tests — applying gentle pressure to the joints and muscles of your upper neck to see if this reproduces your familiar headache pattern. If pressing on a specific joint in your neck triggers the headache you recognise, that is strong evidence that the neck is involved. Not all headaches are cervicogenic, and we are honest about what we find. If your headaches have features that suggest a different cause — sudden onset, progressive worsening, or neurological symptoms — we will refer you for further investigation before treating.
How many sessions will I need for headache treatment?
Most patients with cervicogenic headaches or tension-type headaches need around 6 sessions, though this varies. Some patients notice a significant improvement after 2 to 3 sessions, while others with longstanding or complex headache patterns may need 8 to 10. We give you a clear treatment plan after your first assessment and review your progress at every appointment. For many patients, the first sign of improvement is that their headaches become less intense before they become less frequent. We track this with you and adjust the treatment plan accordingly. Once your headaches are under control, some patients choose to come in for occasional maintenance sessions — perhaps once a month — to keep the cervical spine moving well and prevent recurrence. This is entirely optional.
Is it safe to have my neck adjusted for headaches?
Yes, cervical adjustment for headaches is safe when carried out by a registered chiropractor. All of our practitioners are registered with the General Chiropractic Council and have completed extensive training in cervical spine assessment and treatment. We carry out a thorough examination before any treatment, including neurological testing and vascular screening, to ensure that adjustment is appropriate for you. The techniques we use for headache patients are often gentler than those used for other spinal conditions — the upper cervical spine responds well to precise, low-force techniques. Some patients experience mild soreness after their first treatment, similar to the feeling after exercise. This typically settles within 24 hours. We always explain what we are going to do, demonstrate the technique, and check you are comfortable before proceeding.
Should I keep a headache diary?
Yes, a headache diary is one of the most useful things you can do, and we actively encourage it. Recording when your headaches occur, how long they last, their intensity on a scale of 1 to 10, and what you were doing beforehand helps us identify patterns and triggers. It also gives us a clear way to measure whether treatment is working. Many patients discover triggers they were not aware of — certain foods, dehydration, disrupted sleep, particular work tasks, or hormonal patterns. You do not need anything complicated — a note on your phone with the date, time, severity, and any potential triggers is sufficient. We review your diary at each appointment and use the data to refine both the treatment and the trigger management advice. Over 4 to 6 weeks, a headache diary often reveals clear patterns that can be addressed alongside the physical treatment.
How much does headache treatment cost at Harborne Chiropractic?
Your first appointment is £55, which covers a 45-minute assessment and your first treatment. Follow-up sessions are £43 each. Most patients with headaches need around 6 sessions, so the total cost for a typical course of treatment is around £270 including the initial assessment. We are transparent about pricing because we know it matters. There are no hidden costs and no pressure to buy packages upfront. We accept health insurance from BUPA, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, and other major providers — check with your insurer and obtain an authorisation number before your first appointment. If you have been spending money on regular painkillers, missed work due to headaches, or tried other treatments without success, investing in a course of chiropractic treatment that addresses the root cause is often more cost-effective in the long run.
Dr Sian Kavanagh

Your Practitioner

Dr Sian Kavanagh

MChiro, DC, GCC Registered

Sian has a strong clinical interest in the relationship between cervical spine dysfunction and headaches. She sees a large number of headache patients at Harborne Chiropractic, many of whom have tried other treatments without lasting relief. Sian takes a thorough, evidence-based approach, combining cervical adjustment with soft tissue work and lifestyle modification to reduce headache frequency and severity.

What Patients Say

I was getting headaches four or five days a week for over two years. My GP prescribed various medications but nothing stopped them completely. Dr Kavanagh found significant stiffness in my upper neck and after six sessions my headaches have reduced to maybe once a fortnight. Life-changing is not an exaggeration.

Jenny L. ★★★★★

I get migraines with aura and had been managing them with triptans for years. A colleague in Harborne recommended I try chiropractic. I was sceptical but after two months of treatment my migraines have gone from three a month to about one. I still get the odd one but the severity is much less.

Daniel F. ★★★★★

Constant tension headaches that built through the afternoon at work. I assumed it was just stress and screen time. Turns out my neck was incredibly stiff — I had almost no rotation to the left. After treatment and some changes to my desk setup, the headaches have almost completely stopped. Brilliant service from the whole team.

Nisha A. ★★★★★

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