Migraine is a complex neurological condition, not simply a severe headache. It involves changes in brain activity and chemistry that produce a constellation of symptoms, of which headache is usually (but not always) one component. While chiropractic cannot cure migraine, there is growing evidence that musculo-skeletal dysfunction (particularly in the cervical spine) can act as a trigger and sensitising factor, and that addressing this can reduce both the frequency and severity of episodes.
Our practitioners take a structured, evidence-informed approach to assessing and treating the musculo-skeletal contributors to migraine. Read more about our team. We do not treat migraine in isolation; we work alongside your GP or neurologist as part of a coordinated approach.
The Cervicogenic-Migraine Connection
Research has identified a strong anatomical overlap between the cervical spine and the trigeminal nerve system, the primary sensory pathway involved in migraine. Pain signals from the upper cervical joints (C0 to C3) can converge on the same brainstem nucleus as signals from the trigeminal nerve. This provides a mechanistic basis for why cervical dysfunction may lower the migraine threshold and contribute to attack frequency. Our neck pain page covers the upper cervical spine in more detail.
In clinical practice, we consistently find that migraine patients have restricted mobility and tenderness at the upper cervical spine, trigger points in the suboccipital, SCM, and upper trapezius muscles, poor deep cervical flexor strength and head-neck postural control, and forward head posture with increased upper cervical extension.
What Migraine Feels Like
- Moderate to severe unilateral (or bilateral) throbbing head pain.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia).
- Aura (in classic migraine): visual disturbances, tingling, or speech difficulties in the 20 to 60 minutes before the headache phase.
- Postdrome: fatigue, cognitive fog, and weakness that can persist for up to 24 hours after the headache phase.
Our Approach
- A detailed headache diary review and clinical history to establish the pattern, triggers, and severity of your migraines.
- Upper cervical spine assessment including range of motion testing and the flexion-rotation test (highly specific for upper cervical contribution).
- Manual therapy targeting restricted C0 to C3 segments using gentle, low-force techniques appropriate for migraine patients.
- Trigger point treatment for suboccipital, trapezius, and SCM muscles.
- Prescription of deep cervical flexor strengthening exercises.
- Lifestyle and trigger factor education covering sleep, hydration, screen time, stress, and hormonal patterns.
- Co-management with your GP or neurologist, particularly if medication management is a significant part of your care.
Also read our blog post on daily headache management stretches for self-care strategies you can use between appointments.
How Waterloo Chiropractic Can Help
At Waterloo Chiropractic, our approach to migraine is collaborative and specific. We do not position chiropractic care as a standalone cure for migraine; we position it as an evidence-informed intervention for the musculo-skeletal component that, for many patients, is a significant and underaddressed contributor to their attack frequency and severity.
Our assessment includes a detailed migraine history, upper cervical range of motion testing, the flexion-rotation test (which has high specificity for upper cervical involvement), and segmental palpation to identify restricted or tender spinal segments. Where upper cervical dysfunction is a contributing factor, our treatment approach is gentle and targeted, using low-force mobilisation techniques appropriate for migraine patients.
We work alongside your GP or neurologist rather than in isolation, and we communicate with your other treating practitioners where it is clinically appropriate. If you are currently managing migraines with medication alone and have not had the musculo-skeletal component assessed, it may be worth exploring. Find out what to expect at your first visit.
If migraines are significantly affecting your quality of life, we would welcome the chance to assess the musculo-skeletal component. Book online or call (02) 9690 0911. Shop 265, 8 Lachlan St, Waterloo NSW 2017.