Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause severe headache, nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and visual or sensory symptoms. It is not simply “a bad headache”. NHS guidance describes migraine as a condition involving abnormal brain activity affecting nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels.
Cervicogenic headache is different. It refers to headache driven by structures in the neck, such as cervical joints, muscles, discs or nerves. Pain may start in the neck or base of the skull and refer into the head, temples, forehead or behind the eye. It is sometimes described as head pain originating from the neck.
Assessment and treatment
At Sayer Clinics, we carefully distinguish migraine, cervicogenic headache, tension-type headache and headache requiring medical referral.
Treatment may include chiropractic neck and upper back care, massage therapy, soft-tissue release, upper cervical mobility work, posture and desk advice, shoulder and rib mechanics, breathing and stress-related muscle tension management.
Chiropractic and manual therapy do not “cure” migraine biology, but they may help patients whose migraine or headache pattern is aggravated by neck dysfunction, muscle tension or cervicogenic triggers. We have successfully treated hundreds of patients who have felt the headaches and migraines "dissappear" after our therapy.
Your first consultation includes a full medical history, clinical examination, diagnosis, consented digital X-ray where clinically indicated, first treatment session and clear aftercare advice. Treatment is always adapted to your condition, examination findings, medical history and comfort level. Where symptoms suggest a condition requiring medical investigation, we will advise appropriate referral.