Most recurring headaches — particularly tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches — stem from a physical problem in the upper cervical spine (the top three joints of the neck).

When the joints, muscles, or nerves at the base of your skull are restricted or inflamed, they refer pain directly into your head, eyes, or forehead. Simply taking painkillers temporarily masks the pain signal without resolving the joint or muscle dysfunction driving it.

Common Conditions We Treat:

• Cervicogenic Headaches (One-sided head pain originating directly from restricted neck joints)

• Tension-Type Headaches (Tight, band-like head pressure driven by suboccipital and shoulder muscle tension)

• Posture & Screen-Related Neck Strain (“Forward head posture” caused by long hours on computers or phones)

• Occipital Neuralgia (Sharp, electric, or shooting pain radiating up over the scalp from compressed neck nerves)

• Neck Stiffness & Reduced Range of Motion (Tightness in the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and suboccipital muscles)

• Chiropractic Joint Mobilisation & Adjustment: Restores normal movement in restricted upper cervical segments (C1–C3) to remove joint-generated nerve irritation.

• Acupuncture & Dry Needling: Targets suboccipital trigger points at the base of the skull, releasing deep muscle tension and calming hyper-sensitised pain pathways.

• Cervical Rehabilitation & Postural Ergonomics: Restores the neck’s natural curve (cervical lordosis) and strengthens deep neck flexors to prevent headache recurrence.

For patients whose headaches have a screen-use or postural driver — a common pattern in office workers across West Ryde, Meadowbank and Rhodes — we also address the ergonomic factors alongside clinical treatment.