If your idea of treating a headache starts and ends with painkillers, you’re not alone. Headaches are often brushed off as just part of modern life. Too much screen time. Not enough sleep. Maybe stress, dehydration, or an aggressive caffeine schedule. But what if the real cause of your head pain is coming from somewhere a little lower, say, your neck?
At Physio Connect, we regularly see patients dealing with recurring head pain that isn’t actually about their head at all. Whether it’s tension-related, posture-driven, or stemming from tight muscles and irritated nerves, the neck and upper back can have a massive impact on what’s going on above the shoulders. That’s where physiotherapy for headaches comes in.
If you’ve been asking yourself whether physio can really help with headaches, the answer is yes. Let’s break it down.
What Kind of Headaches Can Physio Treat?
Physiotherapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and not every type of headache is treatable through physical therapy. That said, a surprising number of head pain types do respond extremely well to targeted physio. The key is determining whether the source of the pain is musculoskeletal, postural, or nerve-related.
We regularly treat patients dealing with:
Cervicogenic Headaches
These headaches are a direct result of dysfunction in the upper cervical spine, think stiff neck joints, irritated nerves, or tight deep-neck muscles. The pain often starts in the neck and radiates to the base of the skull, temple, or even behind the eyes. Movements like looking down at your phone, checking your blind spot, or holding your head in one position for too long can aggravate it. Cervicogenic headaches typically affect one side of the head and may be accompanied by neck stiffness or reduced range of motion. Our cervicogenic headache treatment includes manual therapy, joint mobilisation, and targeted rehabilitation of postural muscles.
Tension-Type Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type we see and are often stress-related, triggered by muscle tightness around the shoulders, neck, and jaw. The pain usually feels like a tight band across the forehead or the back of the head, and it tends to be dull and persistent rather than sharp or throbbing. Poor posture, teeth grinding, and emotional tension are all contributing factors. Physiotherapy can help reduce muscular tension, improve posture, and break the chronic stress-pain cycle.
Postural Headaches
These headaches don’t have an official medical name, but they’re increasingly common in a world of laptops, smartphones, and endless Zoom calls. Holding your head in a forward position for hours on end strains the cervical spine and overworks the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and suboccipital muscles. This constant load leads to fatigue, irritation, and eventually pain that travels upward. Patients often describe a deep ache at the base of the skull, worsened by sitting or working at a desk. Our physio for neck pain and posture therapy helps restore balance to these muscle groups and trains the body to hold itself in a more efficient position.
Migraines with Musculoskeletal Triggers
Not all migraines can be addressed through physio, but many have musculoskeletal triggers that can be reduced or managed. If your migraines are accompanied by neck pain, muscle stiffness, or are triggered by certain positions, physiotherapy may help reduce their frequency and severity. By improving cervical mobility and calming overactive muscle groups, we reduce the load on the nervous system. We often include dry needling and acupuncture for headaches as part of a wider strategy to regulate muscular and neurological responses.
Referred Pain from the Jaw or Upper Back
The jaw and upper thoracic spine are often overlooked contributors to chronic head pain. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) can refer pain to the temples, cheeks, and ears, mimicking other headache types. Similarly, stiffness in the upper back can limit neck mobility, forcing compensations higher up the chain. We assess the full picture, not just your head and neck, but how your spine, jaw, and shoulder girdle may be involved. This holistic approach sets our Auckland headache physio service apart and helps us address persistent pain from multiple angles.
What Does Physio for Headaches Actually Involve?
At Physio Connect, treating headaches isn’t about quick fixes or standardised protocols. It’s about understanding your unique history, body mechanics, and the real-world demands of your daily life. That’s why your first appointment at our physio clinic in Auckland begins with a detailed assessment, not just of your pain, but of everything that could be feeding into it. We look at posture,, muscle tension, movement patterns, breathing habits, and even stress levels. This full-body, full-context approach allows us to pinpoint whether your head pain is coming from your neck, jaw, upper back, or elsewhere entirely.
From there, we create a personalised treatment plan designed to not only reduce your current symptoms but also prevent them from returning. Depending on your needs, your headache physio session may include:
- Manual therapy to mobilise stiff neck joints and improve movement in the cervical spine. This reduces pressure on nerves and allows the head and neck to move more freely.
- Soft tissue techniques, including massage and trigger point release, to calm overactive muscles and reduce referred pain into the head and temples.
- Postural retraining and ergonomic advice, especially if your job or lifestyle involves long hours at a desk, driving, or device use.
- Targeted strengthening exercises for the deep neck flexors, shoulder stabilisers, and upper back muscles.
- Dry needling or acupuncture, used strategically to release stubborn muscle knots and calm the nervous system. This can be especially effective for tension-type headaches or those linked to stress and jaw clenching.
We treat every headache patient as an individual, because no two cases are ever the same. Whether your head pain is linked to a historic injury, a high-pressure job, a dodgy desk setup, or simply years of poor posture, we create a plan that’s practical, sustainable, and backed by evidence.
Ready to Get on Top of Your Head Pain?
If you’re tired of managing your headaches with short-term solutions that never seem to stick, it’s time to try something different. At Physio Connect, we focus on the why behind your pain, where our experienced team will help you address the root cause and get real, lasting results.
Ready to stop the cycle and start feeling better? Book your headache physiotherapy appointment with Physio Connect today.
Physio for Headache FAQs
How do I know if my headaches are related to my neck?
If your head pain starts or worsens with neck movement, prolonged sitting, or certain sleeping positions, there’s a good chance your neck is involved. Common red flags include stiffness in the upper spine, pain that radiates from the neck to the head, and reduced range of motion.
Can physio help with migraines?
While physiotherapy doesn’t “cure” migraines, it can reduce the musculoskeletal triggers that often lead to attacks. Many migraine sufferers have neck stiffness, jaw tension, or poor posture that increases their pain sensitivity or frequency of episodes. At Physio Connect, we use physiotherapy for migraines to reduce these contributing factors.
How long will it take to see results from headache physio?
Some patients notice improvements after just one or two sessions, especially if their headaches are related to posture or muscle tightness. However, long-standing or complex cases may require a few weeks of consistent treatment and rehabilitation to see lasting change. We typically recommend a structured plan with regular reviews to track progress and adjust as needed.
Is headache physio covered by ACC?
Yes, if your head or neck pain is the result of a specific accident or injury (such as a fall, sports injury, or car accident), your treatment may be covered by ACC. As an approved ACC physio provider in Auckland, we can help with your claim paperwork and deliver fully subsidised treatment if your injury qualifies.
