Can a Chiropractor Help With Headaches?

Yes, a chiropractor can help with certain types of headaches, particularly tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches related to tension or blockages in the neck and spine. By realigning the spine and improving nerve communication, chiropractic care can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of headache episodes. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about chiropractic care and headaches.

What types of headaches can a chiropractor treat?

A chiropractor most effectively treats tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and certain forms of migraine. These are headache complaints in which a disruption in the neck, spine, or nervous system plays a direct role. Headaches that are purely neurological or vascular in origin without a musculoskeletal component fall outside the chiropractor’s scope of practice.

The most common types that respond well to chiropractic treatment include:

• Tension headaches: The most common form, caused by muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and head. Chiropractic care targets the underlying musculoskeletal cause.
• Cervicogenic headaches: Headaches that literally originate from the neck. Blockages or joint dysfunctions in the cervical spine radiate into the head.
• Migraine-related complaints: Although chiropractic care does not cure migraines, treatments targeting the cervical spine can reduce the frequency of attacks in some people, especially when neck tension is a trigger factor.

Headaches caused by infections, high blood pressure, medication use, or other internal causes require a different approach. A good chiropractor will always first assess whether your complaints are suitable for chiropractic care.

How does a spinal problem cause headaches?

A spinal problem, particularly in the cervical region (the neck), can cause headaches because blockages or misalignment put pressure on nerves, joints, and surrounding muscles. That pressure and tension radiate into the head and cause pain that feels as though it comes from within the head.

The connection between the neck and headaches is anatomically well explained. The upper three cervical vertebrae share nerve pathways with the nerves that innervate the head and skull. When pressure builds up in that region due to poor posture, overload, stress, or a blockage, the nervous system sends pain signals to the head.

Additionally, muscle tension plays a major role. Tense muscles in the neck and shoulders pull on the connective tissue surrounding the skull and increase pressure at the base of the skull. This mechanism explains why people with desk jobs or stressful lifestyles so often suffer from recurring headaches: the spine is under prolonged pressure, and the head pays the price.

What happens during a chiropractic treatment for headaches?

During a chiropractic treatment for headaches, the chiropractor first assesses the spine, particularly the cervical region, for blockages, tension, and misalignment. They then apply targeted techniques to correct the spine, restore nerve communication, and reduce muscle tension.

A treatment typically consists of the following steps:

1. Intake and examination: The chiropractor discusses your complaints and examines the mobility and alignment of your spine.
2. Chiropractic adjustment: Using an HVLA technique (High Velocity Low Amplitude), a quick, controlled movement is applied to free a blocked vertebra. This is the classic chiropractic manipulation.
3. Decompression techniques: When there is pressure in the intervertebral discs, a technique such as the Y-Strap can be used. This involves pulling the head along the vertical body axis, releasing built-up pressure in the intervertebral discs. The effect is comparable to spinal traction, but combined with the possibility of chiropractic adjustment.
4. Gentle stretching movements: In less acute situations, slow, fluid stretching movements are used for general decompression and relaxation.

After the treatment, the chiropractor often provides advice on posture, movement, and lifestyle to prevent recurrence.

How many treatments are needed before headaches decrease?

The number of treatments required varies per person and depends on the cause, severity, and duration of the headache complaints. With acute or short-term complaints, improvement can be noticeable after just two to four treatments. With chronic or long-term headaches, a longer treatment trajectory is common.

As a general rule: the longer the complaints have existed, the more time the body needs to recover. Someone who has suffered from weekly tension headaches for years will need more treatments than someone who develops acute neck pain and headaches following a whiplash injury.

After the intake, a chiropractor draws up a treatment plan indicating how many sessions are expected and what the goal of each phase is. That plan is always an estimate: the body responds individually. Good chiropractic care regularly evaluates whether the approach is working and adjusts the plan where necessary.

When is a chiropractor not the right choice for headaches?

A chiropractor is not the right choice when headaches have a serious underlying medical cause, such as a brain tumor, cerebral hemorrhage, meningitis, or severely elevated blood pressure. These are red flags that require immediate medical attention, not chiropractic treatment.

Signals indicating a medical emergency include:

• Sudden, very severe headache that you have never experienced before (“thunderclap headache”)
• Headache combined with fever, neck stiffness, or sensitivity to light
• Headache following a fall or blow to the head
• Headache with neurological deficits such as speech problems, vision loss, or paralysis

When in doubt, it is always wise to consult a general practitioner first. A serious chiropractor will also screen for red flags themselves and refer you if the complaints fall outside their area of expertise.

What is the difference between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist for headaches?

The most important difference is the focus: a chiropractor focuses primarily on the alignment of the spine and its influence on the nervous system, while a physiotherapist works more broadly on muscle strength, mobility, and functional recovery. For headaches with a clear cervical cause, chiropractic care offers a more direct approach to the structural core of the problem.

Both disciplines can be effective for headaches, but they start from a different perspective:

• Chiropractor: Uses spinal manipulation and decompression techniques to remove blockages in the spine and restore nerve communication. The treatment targets the cause in the spine and nervous system.
• Physiotherapist: Focuses on muscle balance, posture correction, and movement therapy. Exercises and manual techniques are used to reduce the load on the neck.

In practice, both approaches sometimes complement each other well. But if your headaches are clearly linked to neck complaints, a stiff spine, or a feeling of pressure in the neck, then a chiropractor is often the most direct step.

How we at Ruggensteun help with headaches and migraines

At Ruggensteun, we treat headaches and migraines by addressing the cause at its core: the spine and nervous system. We are one of the few chiropractic practices in the Netherlands certified for the Y-Strap treatment, a powerful decompression technique that is particularly effective for pressure in the cervical spine. Our chiropractors are also specialized in HVLA adjustments, CFR, and treatment of acute complaints.

What we offer for people with headaches and migraines:

• A thorough intake in which we map out the cause of your headaches
• Targeted chiropractic adjustments of the cervical spine
• Y-Strap decompression for people with pressure in the neck and intervertebral discs
• Treatment without a referral from a general practitioner, even for acute complaints
• Locations in Eindhoven and Valkenswaard, both with free parking

You no longer need to wait for a referral or live with recurring headaches. Make an appointment directly and discover what we can do for you. Do you have a question first? Feel free to contact our practice, we are happy to help you further.