Headache Treatment
in Oxford
Regular headaches are not something you should have to live with. While extremely common, recurring headaches are a signal that something needs addressing — and at Northwood Chiropractic, Dr. Steve Hulme uses the precise Gonstead System to identify exactly what that is.
Oxford Chiropractor
Why Regular Headaches Aren't Normal
Although the vast majority of people will experience a headache at some point in their lifetime, regular headaches are not normal — and you shouldn't have to simply put up with them. The body is remarkably effective at healing itself, but only when nothing is interfering with that process.
If your headaches keep returning rather than resolving on their own, this strongly suggests something is preventing your body from healing naturally. That underlying issue needs to be identified before it can be effectively addressed — which is precisely what we specialise in at Northwood Chiropractic Oxford.
The vast majority of headaches are not life-threatening, but they can be severely debilitating and significantly affect quality of life. Persistent headaches that don't resolve by themselves are a signal worth taking seriously.
Common Headache Symptoms
- Pain at the base of the skull or back of the head
- Headache behind the eyes or across the forehead
- One-sided head pain, sometimes with neck stiffness
- Throbbing or pressure-like pain lasting hours
- Headaches triggered by screen use, stress, or certain positions
- Pain that worsens with movement of the neck
- Nausea, light sensitivity, or visual disturbances alongside headache
- Headaches that keep recurring despite pain medication
Most Headaches
Come From the Neck
It is estimated that around 90% of headaches originate from issues within the cervical spine — the seven vertebrae in your neck. When one or more of these vertebrae misaligns, it creates pressure on the nerves as they exit the spine, which can directly trigger headache pain.
This is precisely the type of headache that responds best to Chiropractic care — and the type we see the most success with at Northwood Chiropractic. By identifying the exact cervical level involved and correcting it with a targeted Gonstead adjustment, we address the source rather than masking the symptom.
When to Seek Urgent Help
While most headaches are benign, seek urgent medical attention if you experience: a sudden severe headache unlike any before, headache with fever and stiff neck, neurological symptoms such as vision changes or weakness, headache following a head injury, or progressive worsening over days.
Types of Headaches We Help With
Through our detailed Gonstead assessment, we routinely identify these as the underlying causes of recurring headaches — often in combination with one another:
Cervicogenic Headache
A cervicogenic headache originates directly from the cervical spine. Misalignment in the cervical vertebrae irritates the nerves and joints that refer pain into the base of the skull, temples, and behind the eyes. These headaches are frequently misdiagnosed as tension headaches or migraines.
- Typically one-sided, starting at the base of the skull
- Often accompanied by neck stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Worsens with certain neck positions or sustained postures
- Responds very well to specific Gonstead Chiropractic care
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches — the most commonly reported type — are characterised by a dull, pressing pain around the head, often described as a tight band. They are closely linked to muscular tension in the neck and shoulders, which itself is frequently a response to underlying spinal misalignment.
- Diffuse, pressing pain across the forehead or around the head
- Commonly triggered by stress, poor posture, and screen use
- Muscle tightness is often a symptom, not the primary cause
- Treating the spinal source often resolves tension headaches lastingly
Migraines with Cervical Component
Many migraines have a significant cervical component — meaning dysfunction in the cervical spine plays a role in triggering or worsening episodes. Addressing the spinal contribution can meaningfully reduce both frequency and severity over time.
- Often preceded by neck stiffness or tension in the hours before
- Upper cervical misalignment is a common and overlooked trigger
- Gonstead care can reduce frequency and intensity over time
- Complements rather than replaces appropriate medical management
- Read our full migraine page →
Chiropractic Treatment
for Headaches
The better the cause of a headache is defined, the more effectively it can be resolved. This is why a thorough, detailed assessment is essential — and why generic treatments that don't identify the underlying cause so often fail to provide lasting relief.
At Northwood Chiropractic Oxford, we use the Gonstead System to identify the precise cervical level responsible for your headaches and apply a specific, targeted adjustment. We are also trained to identify the rare but serious causes of headaches that require medical attention — so if Chiropractic is not the right approach for your case, we will tell you and point you in the right direction.
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1
Full Health History
We begin by listening carefully. Understanding your headache pattern, triggers, duration, and how long you've been suffering shapes every subsequent decision.
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2
Nerve Scan (Nervoscope)
The Nervoscope detects temperature differentials along the spine indicating nerve irritation — allowing us to identify the exact cervical level involved with precision, without guesswork.
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3
Neurological Testing
Reflex, sensation, and strength testing helps confirm which nerve roots are affected and rules out any conditions that require urgent medical referral.
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4
Structural & Motion Analysis
We assess cervical posture, joint mobility, and movement patterns to identify restrictions, compensations, and the mechanical dysfunction contributing to your headaches.
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5
Results & Personalised Plan
At your second visit, we explain exactly what we found, why it is causing your headaches, and present a clear, specific care plan. You will understand your problem better than ever — and know exactly what we intend to do about it.
Not only did I become symptom free, we got to the root causes of my frequent pain episodes, and figured out my triggers which is more than I could have hoped for! I am also able to do things I previously enjoyed but avoided out of worry that I would be in pain afterwards, so I'm truly grateful.
Headaches & Chiropractic — FAQs
Can a Chiropractor help with headaches?
Yes — and headaches are one of the conditions we have the most success with. Around 90% of headaches originate from issues within the cervical spine, and this is precisely the type that responds best to specific Chiropractic care. By identifying and correcting the exact cervical vertebra creating nerve irritation, Gonstead adjustments address the root cause rather than masking symptoms. Many patients who have suffered with recurring headaches for years find lasting relief through this approach.
What causes headaches?
The most common cause of recurring headaches is nerve irritation arising from misalignment in the cervical spine. This is often triggered or worsened by poor posture, prolonged screen use, stress, previous neck injuries, and sleep position. Because the same headache symptoms can arise from different underlying causes, a thorough assessment is essential — treating the symptom without finding the source is why many people continue to suffer despite taking pain medication.
What is a cervicogenic headache?
A cervicogenic headache is one that originates from the cervical spine. Misalignment in the cervical vertebrae can directly irritate the nerves and joints that refer pain into the base of the skull, temples, and behind the eyes. These headaches are extremely common and are frequently misdiagnosed as tension headaches or migraines. They typically respond very well to specific Chiropractic care targeting the affected cervical level.
Can Chiropractic help with migraines?
Many migraines have a significant cervical component — meaning dysfunction in the cervical spine plays a role in triggering or worsening episodes. Addressing the spinal contribution through Gonstead Chiropractic care can meaningfully reduce both the frequency and severity of migraines for patients where cervical involvement is a factor. This complements rather than replaces any appropriate medical management already in place.
Are headaches a sign of something serious?
The vast majority of headaches are not life-threatening, though they can be severely debilitating. However, certain red flag symptoms do require urgent medical attention — including a sudden severe headache unlike any before, headache with fever and stiff neck, neurological symptoms such as vision changes or weakness, or headache following a head injury. At Northwood Chiropractic, every patient receives a thorough neurological assessment and we are trained to identify and refer cases that require urgent medical attention.
Why do my headaches keep coming back?
Recurring headaches almost always indicate an underlying cause that has not been identified and corrected. Pain medication provides temporary relief by masking the symptom — but if the spinal misalignment or nerve irritation causing the headache remains unaddressed, the headaches will continue to return. Identifying and correcting the source is the only way to achieve lasting results.
Do I need a GP referral to see a Chiropractor for headaches?
No. Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners and you can book directly without a GP referral. If your assessment reveals anything that falls outside our scope of care — including any red flag symptoms — we will refer you to the appropriate professional promptly and without hesitation.
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