Back, Neck & Spine
Migraine vs. Cervicogenic Headache
Migraine and cervicogenic headache are different conditions — and chiropractic care has a role in both. Knowing which you have shapes the plan.
Migraine is a neurological disorder often involving throbbing pain, sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and in some people, aura.
Cervicogenic headache is referred pain from cervical structures, usually one-sided and related to neck movement or posture.
Where chiropractic care fits
Both headache types are treated in chiropractic practice. Cervicogenic headache responds well to manual therapy, exercise, and postural work. For migraine, spinal manipulative therapy is a recognized preventive option: a 2019 meta-analysis of randomized trials reported fewer migraine days and lower pain intensity, and evidence-based chiropractic headache guidelines recommend it for episodic migraine.
Chiropractic care works alongside, not instead of, prescribed migraine medication, and results vary between patients. Any headache that changes in character or severity should be reviewed by a physician.
This article is general education, not personal medical advice. If your symptoms include any red-flag signs, seek prompt medical evaluation.
Keep going
Chosen from the Knowledge Center by shared topic — plain-language guides for a quick answer, research reviews when you want the evidence.
- Research review
Headache Research Review
Not all headaches are the same. Cervicogenic headache, tension-type headache, and migraine each have their own patterns — and each has evidence supporting conservative chiropractic care.
6 min readRead - Plain-language guide
Headaches and the Neck
How neck structures can contribute to head pain, and what a cervicogenic pattern looks like.
4 min readRead - Plain-language guide
Text Neck and Screen-Related Posture
Long hours looking down at phones and screens can influence how the neck and upper back feel over time.
3 min readRead - Plain-language guide
Does Posture Really Matter?
A balanced look at what posture can and cannot explain about how your body feels.
4 min readRead