Discover Effective Headache Treatment
Headaches are one of the most common types of pain, ranging from mild discomfort to intense symptoms. They can feel like tightness or throbbing across different parts of the head, and may include neck tension, light and sound sensitivity, or nausea. Usually triggered by neck or jaw dysfunction, stress, poor posture, or other factors, headaches can drain your energy, cloud your focus, and make everyday tasks feel harder than they should.
At Bangalow Headache Neck & Jaw Clinic, we take the time to diagnose the cause of pain, offering headache treatments that acutely target the root cause.
We work to reduce or eliminate the impact of headache triggers, not just avoid them
Scientifically Proven Therapies
Watson Headache® Approach
Natural, Drug-Free Treatments
Treatment Guarantee
Comprehensive Assessment
What is a Headache?
A headache is pain or discomfort felt anywhere in the head, face or neck area.
It’s one of the most common reasons people seek medical help, and while often temporary for most, it can be a sign of an underlying issue. Headaches can occur on one or both sides of the head, be felt behind the eyes, radiate from the neck, or present as pressure across the forehead or scalp. At our headache clinic, we focus on identifying the type and source of your pain, so our experts can recommend the right treatment.
Safe & Fast
All techniques involve targeted, slow and sustained pressure. There is NO manipulation (cracking) of the spine.
Effective
80% of people assessed have treatable and relevant dysfunction. Most of these will see significant changes in the first two weeks.
100% Natural
No drugs, needles, toxic chemicals or side-effects. Just correcting a previously misunderstood fault in biomechanics.
Headache Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person, but common signs include:
- Throbbing, dull, or sharp pain in the head or neck
- Pressure around the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell
- Nausea or dizziness
- Stiffness or restricted movement in the neck or jaw
- Visual disturbances such as flashing lights, blind spots, or zigzag lines
Common Headache Causes
Headaches can be caused by several factors. Some develop on their own (primary headaches), while others are linked to an underlying condition (secondary headaches).
A thorough assessment by a qualified physiotherapist specialising in headaches can help distinguish between these causes and guide your treatment.
Primary Causes
- Irritated or sensitised nerves in the upper neck
- Tight muscles or restricted movement in the neck or jaw
- Brainstem overactivity linked to migraine
- Tension from prolonged stress or poor posture
Secondary Causes
- Sinus infections or pressure
- Eye strain
- Dehydration
- TMJ (jaw joint) dysfunction
- Medication overuse
- Sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea
Headache Triggers
While external stressors don’t always cause headaches, they can activate symptoms in people with underlying sensitivity.
Common headache triggers include physical or emotional stress, poor posture, hormonal changes, dehydration, lack of sleep or changes in sleep patterns. Environmental factors such as bright lights, loud noises, changes in air pressure or strong smells and even certain foods or drinks like wine or caffeine can induce headaches too.
For many patients, it’s a combination of these (with a neck or jaw dysfunction) that sets symptoms off.
Headache Diagnosis
Diagnosing the cause of your headache starts with a detailed history and physical examination to assess the full picture. Our physio for headaches considers when and how often your symptoms occur, what makes them worse or better, and any other health concerns to understand the dysfunction and get to the source of it.
Types of headaches we commonly see include:
- Tension Headache: Dull, tight pain often around the head and neck.
- Migraines: Throbbing pain, usually on one side, often accompanied by nausea or visual aura.
- Cluster Headache: Sudden, sharp pain around one eye, following a pattern or cycle.
- Menstrual Headache: Hormonally influenced, occurring around menstruation or ovulation.
- Sinus Headache: Pressure or pain in the cheeks, forehead, or behind the eyes, associated with nasal congestion.
- Cervicogenic Headache: Originates from the neck, specifically the cervical spine, and can affect range of movement.
- General/Mixed Headache: Irregular patterns and multiple triggers.
Headache Treatment
Effective and 100% natural, our headache treatment applies gentle, sustained pressure to ease the issue at the top of the neck, which is responsible for overstimulating the brainstem that causes headaches or migraines. Grounded in clinical research, our approach doesn’t rely on drugs, injections or spinal manipulation, with most patients seeing significant changes within the first two weeks.
Whether you’re struggling with chronic migraines, looking for effective cervicogenic headache treatment or sinus headache treatment, our experienced team is here to help.
Your Headache Clinic for Safe, Targeted Care
Offering tailored care centred around safe, scientifically proven therapies, our headache clinic provides detailed assessments to identify the exact cause of your headaches. This includes posture alignment; research shows how poor head positioning can increase weight from 5kg to over 27kg, straining neck structures and worsening headaches. We also screen for conditions requiring a different approach, such as raised blood pressure or vertebral artery (arteries supplying blood to the brain and spine) concerns.
We focus on relieving the pain at its source and preventing recurrence. If no significant improvement is seen within 4 to 5 sessions, we stop. You won’t be asked to commit to long-term plans without real progress.
Why See a Physio for Headaches?
Many people try medication, rest, or gadgets that promise quick relief, only to have the pain return. Our headache physiotherapist takes a different path, starting with a comprehensive assessment of the neck, jaw, and nerve function to find mechanical triggers. In 80% of examinations, from cluster headache treatments to tension headache treatments, we identify and reverse a previously misunderstood and poorly treated fault at the top of the neck.
Headache Physio with World-Class Experience
As a Level 3 Watson Headache® Certified Practitioner, lead headache physiotherapist Michael Hayward brings in-depth expertise in biomechanics and neurology. With over 34 years of clinical practice, he has completed advanced training in Australia and internationally, learning and working directly with world-leading experts. His vast experience ensures precise, safe care – so you’re always in capable hands.
Headache Treatment FAQs
Morning headaches can be caused by poor sleep posture, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, sleep apnoea, or neck tension. If they occur frequently, an assessment at our headache clinic can help identify what’s contributing and guide treatment.
If your headache is severe, sudden, changes in pattern, worsens over time or is accompanied by symptoms like vision changes, neck stiffness, or vomiting, seek medical advice from our physio for headaches. These could be signs of something more serious.
Yes, significantly elevated blood pressure can lead to headaches, often described as a pulsating or pressure-like pain felt at the back of the head. If you suspect this, it’s important to have your blood pressure checked and monitored by your GP, and if symptoms persist, book an appointment with us.
Treat Your Headache Today
If headaches affect your focus, sleep, or quality of life, you don’t have to keep pushing through the pain; we’re here to help. Book an appointment at our Bangalow headache clinic today for treatments that make a real difference.
Obligation free phone consultation
We are the original North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Clinic
