Migraines and Neck-Related Triggers: What Chiropractic Can and Can’t Do

Migraine and neck pain are they related? Patients regularly ask whether chiropractic can help with their migraines or help prevent them and if has anything to do with their neck. I don’t treat the actual migraine attack itself but I might help with migraine prevention, in some cases. What I can also do, is assess whether your neck is causing or worsening the migraine, because for a number of migraine sufferers it is.

Migraine and neck pain overlap and untangling the cause of them is the most useful thing I do at a first consultation visit. This page aims to set out what the evidence actually says about the role the neck plays in migraine headaches and what chiropractic can and can’t offer as part of a wider migraine prevention plan.

“Leslie took the time to understand my lifestyle, the frequency and patterns of my headaches and migraines”

Having suffered with migraines for the entirety of my teen and adult life, I’d tried pretty much every preventative measure and painkiller available. When recommended to see a Chiropractor, I was more than sceptical but thought there wasn’t much to lose. Once introduced to Leslie, who took the time to understand my lifestyle, the frequency and patterns of my headaches and migraines in my first chiropractic appointment, he treated me and instantaneously I felt relief and improvement. Going forwards I would recommend Leslie and Chiropractic treatment to you without hesitation and would reassure you that not only will you feel results but be treated with the upmost professionalism and expertise.

Helen P

What is migraine and how could it be neck related?

Migraine is a primary headache disorder in its own right not a symptom of something else. It typically causes throbbing, one-sided pain, though it can shift sides and often comes with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound and sometimes, in addition to this, visual disturbance known as an aura. This is why a migraine is different from a cervicogenic headache, which is caused directly by a problem in the neck.

The relationship between migraine and the neck is more complex than a simple cause and effect. Neck pain is extremely common in people with migraine, with reviews reporting it in up to three-quarters of migraine sufferers.[1] Sometimes the neck pain is part of the migraine attack itself. Sometimes it’s a separate, coexisting problem that makes the whole situation worse. Working out which is which is part of what I assess at your first visit to see me for treatment.

man holding his temples suffering with a bad headache or is it a painful migraine and how chiropractic treatment may help

“What can I do for my migraines?”

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Neck pain, headaches and migraines: the main guide

Neck pain and stiffness

Headaches and migraine

When the neck causes symptoms elsewhere

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What Causes and triggers migraines?

Migraines have many recognised triggers which are unrelated to the neck: poor sleep, dehydration, skipped meals, hormonal changes, certain foods, stress and screen glare are among them. The neck’s role is more specific. The upper cervical spine shares nerve pathways with the trigeminal nerve, the same nerve implicated in migraine pain. So irritation or dysfunction in the neck may lower the threshold for an attack in people who are already prone to suffering with a migraine, rather than causing a migraine outright.

This is an important detail. One study found people with strong, persistent pain in the back of the neck had a 7.6 times higher risk of their migraines becoming chronic.[1] That’s a good reason to have the neck properly assessed if your migraines are frequent or worsening, even though it may not mean the neck is the root cause.

migraine headache triggers list showing things that might cause migraine and neck pain in a bar chart format

A graphic showing the common triggers for migraines

Symptoms of a migraine and how they differ from a neck related headache

Migraine pain is usually throbbing rather than steady, it often worsens with routine activity and comes with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound that a straightforward neck headache rarely produces. Around a third of people get aura beforehand, typically visual disturbances like flashing lights or zig-zag lines.

Cervicogenic headache, by contrast, tends to start at the base of the skull on one side and is brought on by specific neck movements or postures rather than shifting or building on its own.

The two can coexist and plenty of migraine sufferers also have neck dysfunction alongside their attacks, which is exactly why a chiropractic assessment matters rather than assuming from the symptoms alone.

how chiropractic care might help migraine and neck related triggers

I offer advice and consultation on migraine triggers and assess if your neck is mechanically involved as a contributing cause. Research on spinal manipulation for migraine is ongoing. An early trial found chiropractic care alongside usual care reduced migraine days and improved disability scores.[2] The most recent, more rigorous update, pooling six trials, found no clear effect on migraine intensity or duration, rated the evidence as low certainty and flagged a possible increase in mostly mild and short lived side effects.[3] Other researchers have since published a formal critique of that same review, arguing its search was incomplete and that it understated favourable results while overstating the severity of side effects.[4]

My honest summary: this debate remains open ended and this is an unanswered question with an unresolved, inconclusive answer and not a proven treatment answer either way and undoubtedly research will continue.

I do not treat the actual migraine attack itself. What my main focus is instead for migraines is the neck. If assessment finds cervical joint restriction or muscle dysfunction I would treat that directly. This is the same treatment for mechanical neck pain and may reduce a contributing trigger, even though it isn’t a guaranteed fix for the migraines themselves.

Migraine advice is something worth discussing first before you embark on booking in for treatment. This is why I offer the opportunity to come in and see me for a free 15 minute consultation to check you have come to the right place for your particular complaint.

If migraines are getting in the way of things you would rather be doing, come and talk it through. I offer a free 15-minute consultation, you can come in for a short no-obligation chat with no examination or treatment.

Book a free consultation

Or call for a chat on 01202 937568

red flags and when to seek medical attention first

Most migraines, even when frequent, may not be a sign of anything sinister. But see your GP urgently, call 111 or go to A&E for a sudden, severe headache unlike any before (a “thunderclap” headache), a first migraine-type headache after age 50, aura lasting longer than an hour, weakness, numbness or slurred speech that doesn’t fully resolve, a headache with fever, rash or a stiff neck or any new headache pattern that feels different from your usual migraines.

If you’re on the combined contraceptive pill and get migraine with aura, that’s also worth flagging to your GP given the specific guidance around that combination.[5] I’ll always ask about these features before embarking on treatment and if anything doesn’t fit a straightforward pattern I’ll tell you and point you towards your GP rather than starting chiropractic care.

Booking your first visit at Bournemouth Chiropractic

Your first chiropractic visit starts with a detailed history of your headaches, including how they feel, what triggers them and whether neck stiffness or specific movements play any part. Alongside this, a physical examination of your neck. It is important to assess what type of headache you have most often. I’ll explain whether your neck looks like a contributor and agree a realistic treatment plan with you I will not assume chiropractic is the answer for your condition before I’ve assessed you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Migraines

If assessment shows your neck is contributing, treating it may play a modest part in an overall migraine prevention plan, but the evidence for spinal manipulation and migraine specifically is mixed. I’ll tell you honestly at your first visit or when we meet for a free 15 minute consultation if I don’t think it’s likely to help. Chiropractic will not help with the attack itself during an episode, however, treatment may help with migraine prevention and possibly reduce future attacks. This is precisely why I offer advice and information before embarking on a treatment plan, it helps make the picture more clear.

Migraine tends to throb, worsen with activity and come with nausea or light sensitivity. A neck-related headache usually starts at the base of the skull and is triggered by specific movements or postures. Many people have features of both, which is why an assessment is more reliable than guessing from symptoms alone.

Other triggers, beside the neck, for migraine headaches could be: poor sleep, dehydration, skipped meals, hormonal changes, certain foods, stress and bright or flickering light are all recognised triggers. The neck is one contributing factor among several, not the whole picture for most people, which is why I ask about your wider pattern and habits and not just your neck.

Yes, chiropractic is safe if you get migraines, though research suggests a possible increase in mild, short-lived effects, like some mild neck soreness after treatment, similar to what is seen with neck care for other neck complaints. Serious complications are very rare. I’ll talk through this with you before starting so you can decide with full information.

If you have a sudden, severe headache unlike any before, your first migraine-type headache after 50, aura lasting over an hour, weakness or slurred speech that doesn’t resolve or a headache with fever and a stiff neck, go to A&E or call 111 rather than booking with me.

Whatever could be behind your migraine, come and find out

Migraine can have many triggers and the right first step could be a proper assessment. If those migraine headaches are getting in the way of your day-to-day life, I'd happily see you to find out whether chiropractic may help. I offer a free consultation to discuss if chiropractic could help you and answer your questions. Then if you choose to book in for treatment you have the option. During your first full visit after that I'll take a full medical history, examine you carefully and usually begin your course of treatment.

Migraine and neck-related triggers are something I see very regularly here in Bournemouth and Poole.

In many of the cases I see, chiropractic care is a very well-tolerated option worth considering and I'll explain clearly whether it's likely to help in your particular case. If I think you'd be better served by your GP, a neurologist or another practitioner, I'll say so and help point you in the right direction. Either way, you'll leave knowing more than when you arrived.

There's no pressure and no obligation, just come in, have a chat, get assessed and let's find you a way forward.

The first step is just a conversation. Call or message, whatever's easiest and we'll take it from there.

References for Migraines and Triggers

[1] Aoyama N. Involvement of cervical disability in migraine: a literature review. British Journal of Pain. 2021. doi: 10.1177/2049463720924704

[2] Rist PM, et al. The Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Migraine Pain and Disability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. 2019. doi: 10.1111/head.13501

[3] Posadzki P, Klimek AT, Ernst E. Spinal manipulations for migraine: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Systematic Reviews. 2024;13:296. doi: 10.1186/s13643-024-02719-6

[4] Trager RJ, Bronson MA, Daniels CJ, Perle SM. Critical limitations compromise the conclusions of a recent meta-analysis regarding spinal manipulation and migraine: a commentary. Systematic Reviews. 2025;14:200. doi: 10.1186/s13643-025-02849-5

[5] NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary. Migraine. Available at cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, or guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner. If you have any health concern, please consult your GP or another appropriately qualified clinician. Chiropractic treatment isn’t suitable for everyone. Suitability is assessed at your initial consultation, with referral to another healthcare professional made where appropriate. Treatment outcomes vary between individuals, and no guarantee of results is made or implied.

Practitioner: Leslie Budzynski D.C. | Doctor of Chiropractic | GCC registration: 00043 | BCA membership number: 0072

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