Headaches

Not all headaches are the same — and that's why generic advice often fails. Pinpointing which type you're dealing with is the first real step to relief.

The three most common types

Tension-type headache. A dull, band-like tightness around the head. Usually driven by upper-trap and suboccipital muscle tension, stress, and screen time.

Cervicogenic headache. Originates in the neck and refers pain up into the head — often felt behind one eye or at the base of the skull. This is the type where chiropractic care and manual therapy have the strongest evidence.

Migraine. A neurological condition — often unilateral, throbbing, and paired with nausea or light sensitivity. Requires medical management. Manual therapy may reduce frequency but isn't a cure.

Common triggers

• Poor sleep and dehydration
• Extended screen use without breaks
• Clenching or grinding at night
• Skipped meals and caffeine withdrawal
• Neck posture (forward head, rounded shoulders)

Simple things that often help

1. 90-second desk reset every 45 minutes (see Desk posture).
2. Suboccipital release — lie on your back with two tennis balls in a sock under the base of your skull for 60–90 seconds.
3. Hydrate first. Many "headaches" are mild dehydration.
4. Track patterns — sleep, meals, stress, cycle — for two weeks to spot triggers.

When to see a professional

• Headaches more than 2× per week
• Any new headache pattern after 50
• Headaches with vision changes, weakness, or slurred speech (seek emergency care)
• Recurring pain at the base of the skull that eases with neck movement

Chiropractic evaluation is especially worth considering for cervicogenic and tension-type headaches — the mechanism is often mechanical.

Educational information only — not medical advice. Consult a licensed chiropractor or physician for care.