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Headaches can interfere with work, family time, exercise, sleep, and everyday life. For some people, headaches are occasional. For others, they can become frequent or recurring.

The important thing to understand is that not all headaches are the same. Headaches can occur for many different reasons, and the appropriate treatment depends on the type of headache and the factors contributing to it.

At O'Leary Chiropractic, we provide comprehensive evaluations for patients experiencing headaches, neck pain, muscle tension, and other musculoskeletal symptoms. When appropriate, we provide individualized conservative care designed to address contributing factors such as restricted movement, neck dysfunction, muscular tension, and movement-related symptoms.

Our first priority is determining whether your symptoms are appropriate for chiropractic care—and whether additional medical evaluation is necessary.

For some patients, pain or dysfunction involving the cervical spine, muscles, or other structures of the neck may contribute to headache symptoms. Headache disorders include several different categories. Some occur as primary headache conditions, while others may be related to an underlying medical condition or a disorder involving the neck or other structures.

You may benefit from an evaluation if your headaches are associated with:

• Neck pain or stiffness
• Reduced ability to turn or move your head
• Headaches triggered or aggravated by certain neck movements
• Symptoms that begin in the neck or back of the head
• Headaches associated with prolonged computer, desk, or phone use
• Tenderness or tightness in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
• Recurring headaches associated with postural or movement-related activities

These symptoms do not automatically mean that a headache is caused by the neck, but they can provide useful information during a clinical evaluation. Cervicogenic headache is specifically classified as a headache caused by a cervical disorder or lesion, with evidence supporting a relationship between the neck condition and the headache.

Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some patients experiencing cervicogenic or tension-type headache patterns, particularly when musculoskeletal findings involving the neck are identified during examination.

Your treatment plan may include a combination of conservative approaches such as:

Chiropractic Treatment

When clinically appropriate, chiropractic care may include manual therapy or spinal manipulation directed toward areas of restricted movement or musculoskeletal dysfunction. If you are uncomfortable with manipulation of the neck we utilize multiple gentle and low-force techniques to ensure patient comfort while still providing quality care.

Therapeutic Exercise

Specific exercises are often recommended to improve mobility, strength, endurance, and movement control involving the neck and surrounding regions.

Soft Tissue Therapy

Muscle tenderness and tension involving the neck, shoulders, and upper back may be addressed when clinically appropriate.

Posture and Ergonomic Education

We can help identify daily positions or activities that may be contributing to repeated strain, including prolonged desk work, computer use, or other repetitive activities.

Home Care Recommendations

Your treatment plan may include individualized recommendations regarding stretching, mobility, exercise, activity modification, and other self-management strategies.

A 2026 clinical practice guideline addressing chiropractic management of adults with cervicogenic and tension-type headaches recommends a thorough history and examination, including assessment for red flags. It supports spinal manipulation for cervicogenic headache and recommends a multimodal approach when spinal manipulation is used for tension-type headache, while noting that evidence varies across interventions.

At the same time, the evidence is not equally strong for every headache type. A recent systematic review found substantial uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulation across cervicogenic, tension-type, and migraine headaches, reinforcing the importance of individualized care and appropriate clinical decision-making. 

While many headaches are not caused by a serious medical condition, some headache symptoms require prompt medical attention.

You should seek urgent medical evaluation for a sudden or unusual severe headache or when a headache is accompanied by concerning neurological or systemic symptoms.

Examples include:

• A sudden, severe headache that reaches maximum intensity rapidly
• New weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, or confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Significant changes in vision
• A headache following significant trauma
• Fever or other signs of serious illness accompanied by a severe headache
• A new or substantially different headache pattern, particularly when symptoms are worsening

Headaches can be primary disorders or secondary to another medical condition. A change in headache pattern or the presence of neurological symptoms should be appropriately evaluated rather than assumed to be musculoskeletal.

If we identify symptoms that are not appropriate for chiropractic management, we will recommend the appropriate level of medical evaluation or referral.

If headaches are affecting your work, exercise, sleep, or quality of life, a thorough evaluation can help identify potential contributing factors.

For patients whose symptoms are appropriate for conservative musculoskeletal care, O'Leary Chiropractic provides individualized treatment that may include chiropractic care, exercise, mobility work, soft tissue treatment, and education.

Schedule Your Headache Evaluation

If you experience recurring headaches associated with neck pain, stiffness, muscle tension, or movement-related symptoms, contact O'Leary Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation.

Call (518) 793-1205 or request an appointment online.

Proudly serving patients in Queensbury, Glens Falls, Lake George, Hudson Falls, and the surrounding Adirondack region.