Neck Pain and Headaches in Victoria Park: Could Your Cervical Spine Be the Cause?
Freeman Chiropractic — 249B Albany Highway, Victoria Park WA 6100
Key Takeaways
Neck pain and headaches frequently occur together — in many cases, the headache is originating from the cervical spine rather than the head itself
Cervicogenic headache (headache referred from the neck) is commonly mistaken for tension headache or migraine and is often underdiagnosed
Prolonged desk work, screen use, and forward head posture are among the most common contributing factors we see
Chiropractic assessment aims to identify whether cervical joint restriction, muscle tension, or postural loading is contributing to your symptoms
Some patients find that addressing cervical function supports a meaningful reduction in both neck pain and headache frequency
If you're dealing with neck pain and headaches and you work at a desk, you're in good company — it's one of the most common presentations we see at Freeman Chiropractic in Victoria Park. The two symptoms often appear together, and in many cases that's not a coincidence. Understanding the connection is the first step to doing something useful about it.
How are neck pain and headaches connected?
The cervical spine — the seven vertebrae that make up your neck — does more than support your head. It houses the upper spinal cord, gives passage to the vertebral arteries, and is the origin point for a network of nerves that extend into the base of the skull.
When the joints of the upper cervical spine become restricted or irritated, they can refer pain upward into the head — producing what's known as a cervicogenic headache. This type of headache typically presents as a dull, one-sided ache that starts at the base of the skull and spreads forward, often accompanied by neck stiffness and sensitivity to sustained postures.
Cervicogenic headache is frequently misidentified as tension headache or even migraine. The key distinguishing feature is that the pain is provoked or worsened by neck movement or sustained positions — and that addressing the cervical spine can influence the headache pattern.
What causes neck pain and cervicogenic headaches?
Prolonged desk work and screen use Forward head posture is the most common postural contributor we see. For every 2.5cm the head shifts forward from neutral, the effective load on the cervical spine increases significantly. Over hours of screen time, this places sustained demand on the joints, muscles, and ligaments of the neck. Most people don't notice the posture — they just notice the headache at 3pm.
Joint restriction in the cervical spine When the small joints of the neck lose their normal range of movement — through sustained posture, injury, or accumulated stress — the surrounding muscles often tighten to compensate. This combination of restricted joint movement and increased muscle tension is a common driver of both neck pain and referred headache.
Muscle tension and stress The muscles of the neck and upper trapezius are highly responsive to psychological stress. Sustained tension in these muscles can contribute to both local neck discomfort and headache patterns, and often compounds the effects of poor posture.
Previous neck injury Whiplash and other cervical injuries — even old ones — can leave behind patterns of restricted movement and sensitised tissue that contribute to ongoing symptoms. Patients sometimes present with neck pain and headaches years after an injury they'd largely forgotten about.
What does chiropractic assessment involve for neck pain and headaches?
At Freeman Chiropractic, an assessment for neck pain and headaches includes a detailed history of your symptoms — including headache frequency, location, duration, and triggers — alongside a physical assessment of cervical range of motion, joint mobility, postural alignment, and neurological function where indicated.
The goal is to understand whether cervical joint restriction, muscular tension, or postural loading is contributing to your presentation, and whether chiropractic care is an appropriate option for your situation.
How may chiropractic care help?
Where assessment indicates that cervical joint restriction or related muscle tension is a contributing factor, care may include:
Joint-based techniques Chiropractic adjustment aimed at improving movement and reducing irritation in restricted cervical joints. Dr Alex Freeman uses Gonstead and Diversified techniques; Dr Joel Maylor also incorporates drop table and dry needling where appropriate.
Soft tissue work Targeted work on the muscles of the neck, upper back, and suboccipital region — the small muscles at the base of the skull that are frequently involved in cervicogenic headache patterns.
Postural and ergonomic guidance Practical advice on workstation setup, screen positioning, and movement habits that can reduce the postural load contributing to your symptoms between appointments.
Some patients find that a course of chiropractic care supports a reduction in both the frequency and intensity of their headaches alongside improvement in neck mobility. Results vary between individuals and depend on the nature and duration of the presenting condition.
What can you do in the meantime?
If you're managing neck pain and headaches while waiting for an appointment, a few things are generally worth trying:
Position your screen at eye level to reduce forward head posture
Set a reminder to stand and move every 45–60 minutes — sustained postures are often the biggest driver
Perform gentle chin tucks (not aggressive stretching) to encourage cervical alignment
Apply heat to the upper neck and base of skull if muscle tension is prominent
These won't resolve the underlying issue but can take the edge off while you wait for a proper assessment.
If you're in Victoria Park or the surrounding suburbs and you're dealing with persistent neck pain, headaches, or both, we'd encourage you to come in for an assessment rather than continuing to manage it on your own. You can book directly below.