Headache and Migraine Chiropractic Care in Victoria Park, Perth
Headaches and migraines are among the most common reasons people seek care at our Victoria Park clinic. While many people assume headaches originate solely within the head, symptoms are often influenced by factors involving the neck, upper back, jaw, posture, and surrounding muscles.
For some people, headaches develop suddenly. For others, they build gradually over time due to a combination of physical stress, muscle tension, movement restrictions, sleep habits, and daily workload.
At Freeman Chiropractic, we don't just focus on the location of the headache. We assess how the head, neck, jaw, and upper spine are functioning together, as these areas can often contribute to ongoing symptoms.
Are headaches affecting your work, sleep or concentration?
Book an assessment with Dr Alex or Dr Joel – no GP referral needed, and private health rebates are available on most extras policies. Prefer to talk? Call 0493 290 505.
Why do I get headaches or migraines?
Headaches and migraines can have many different contributing factors. While some people can identify specific triggers, others experience symptoms without an obvious cause.
Common contributing patterns seen in practice include:
Muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
Reduced mobility through the cervical or thoracic spine
Prolonged desk work and screen use
Forward head posture
Jaw clenching or teeth grinding
Stress and increased muscle tension
Poor sleep quality or sleeping position
Previous neck injuries, including whiplash
Many people are surprised to learn that headaches may be influenced by areas outside the head itself. Restrictions or tension through the neck, jaw, and upper back can sometimes contribute to recurring symptoms.
What are headaches and migraines?
Headaches refer to pain or discomfort experienced in the head, face, scalp, or upper neck. Symptoms can vary significantly in intensity, location, and frequency.
Migraines are a specific type of headache that may involve additional symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, visual disturbances, or changes in concentration.
Both headaches and migraines can affect daily activities, work performance, exercise, and overall quality of life.
What are the common types of headaches?
Headaches can present in different ways depending on the underlying contributing factors.
Tension Headaches
Often described as a dull ache, pressure, or tight band around the head. These headaches are commonly associated with muscle tension, stress, and postural strain.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Headaches that may originate from structures in the neck. Symptoms are often accompanied by neck stiffness, reduced movement, or discomfort through the upper shoulders. Read more about headaches that start in the neck.
Migraine Headaches
Migraines can cause moderate to severe head pain and may be accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and visual disturbances.
Jaw-Related Headaches
Tension and dysfunction within the jaw (TMJ) can contribute to headaches around the temples, face, and sides of the head.
Postural Headaches
Headaches that may be influenced by prolonged sitting, desk work, screen use, or sustained positions that place stress on the neck and upper back.
Signs it's time to get your headaches checked
You don't need to wait until headaches become severe or frequent before seeking an assessment.
You may consider having your symptoms assessed if:
Headaches are becoming more frequent
Neck stiffness regularly accompanies your headaches
You experience recurring tension through the shoulders and upper back
Work, exercise, or sleep is being affected
Pain keeps returning despite temporary relief
You notice jaw tension or clenching alongside headaches
Symptoms are gradually worsening over time
Early assessment is often about understanding what may be contributing to recurring headaches and identifying factors that could be placing ongoing stress on the body.
How we can help with headaches
Your first visit is a thorough assessment – a detailed health history, a physical and orthopaedic examination, and muscle activity scans (sEMG). We look at how your neck, upper back and jaw may be contributing to your headaches, and explain what we've found before any treatment starts.
Depending on your assessment, your care may include chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy and dry needling. If anything suggests your headaches need medical review, we'll tell you and refer you to your GP.
No GP referral needed · Private health rebates available
Headache & Migraine Chiropractors
Dr Alex Freeman
Firm, hands-on adjustments, dry needling and soft tissue work. Experienced with long-standing headaches and neck tension.
Dr Joel Maylor
Exercise science and sports rehab background. Practical, movement-focused care for active people.
Your Headache and Migraine Questions, Answered
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Many people with migraine also experience neck stiffness, jaw tension, or postural strain, which may influence how often headaches occur. At Freeman Chiropractic, we assess how your neck, upper back, and jaw are moving and functioning. Care may include manual adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and practical strategies to reduce sustained tension, tailored to the patterns we find on assessment.
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Headaches that start in the neck, called cervicogenic headaches, are usually felt on one side, often begin at the base of the skull, and may be triggered by neck movement or sustained postures. They are frequently accompanied by reduced neck movement. A chiropractic assessment examines the joints and muscles of the upper neck to help determine whether they contribute to your headache pattern.
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Seek urgent medical care for a sudden, severe headache that peaks within seconds to minutes, a headache after a head injury, or a headache with fever, neck stiffness, confusion, weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking. A new headache pattern after the age of 50 years also warrants medical review. These symptoms require medical investigation before chiropractic care is considered.
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A headache diary can make your first consultation more productive. Recording when each headache starts, where it is felt, how long it lasts, and what preceded it, such as screen work, poor sleep, or jaw clenching, helps your chiropractor identify patterns. Two to four weeks of entries is usually enough to reveal useful trends.
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Stress commonly increases muscle tension through the neck, shoulders, and jaw, and many people notice more tension headaches during demanding periods. Care for tension-type headaches at our Victoria Park clinic may include soft tissue therapy, manual adjustments, and practical strategies to reduce sustained muscle tension during the working day.