Why Your Headache Is Probably a Neck Problem | Chiropractic First

Free guide from Dr. Matt Kan

Your headache is probably a neck problem

And that's why painkillers keep not working. Here's what's actually going on.

Dr. Matt Kan 26 years in practice 4 min read

Skip the reading — just come in and we'll show you exactly what's going on.

"One of the most common questions I get is what can I do at home when the headaches keep coming back? Before I answer that — here is something important to understand first."

Dr. Matt Kan — Chiropractic First, 26 years in practice

1 in 5

Chronic headaches come from the neck

C1–C3

Vertebrae that share nerves with your head

26 yrs

Dr. Kan's clinical experience

The real problem

The pain is in your head. The cause is in your neck.

You've tried the painkillers. The rest. The hydration. The pillow change. And the headache still comes back.

After 26 years and thousands of X-rays, this is one of the most common things I see — people managing daily headaches for years when the actual cause is a structural problem in their upper cervical spine that nobody has ever looked at.

Why neck problems feel like head pain

The trigeminocervical connection

When C1, C2 or C3 are compressed or misaligned, they irritate the nerve pathway that connects to your head — producing pain you feel there, not in your neck.

Dr. Kan says

"The headache is the alarm. Your cervical spine is the fire. Painkillers silence the alarm — they do nothing about what's triggering it."

Is this you?

Signs your headache is coming from your neck

Starts at the base of your skull and moves forward

Same side every time

Worse after hours at a screen

Neck stiff or hard to turn

Painkillers work briefly, then it returns

Worse in the morning after sleeping

Tight upper back and shoulders too

Going on for months with no clear cause

Why painkillers keep failing you

Medication suppresses the pain signal. It does not fix the compressed vertebra sending it. So the headache returns the moment the medication wears off — and over time, you often need more of it to get the same relief. The structure is the problem. The structure needs to be fixed.

Something you can try right now

A 30-second release for the base of your skull

This won't fix a structural problem. But if you are in tension right now, it can give you some relief. Do it gently.

General stretch only

Suboccipital release — 5 steps

If you have an existing neck problem, please see us first. Stop immediately if you feel pain or dizziness.

Sit upright

Both feet flat on the floor. Shoulders dropped away from your ears. Jaw relaxed.

Drop chin toward chest

Let gravity do the work. Don't force it. Feel the stretch at the base of your skull.

Rest both hands on back of head

No pulling at all. Just the gentle weight of your hands. Let gravity do everything.

Breathe slowly — hold 20 to 30 seconds

Relax your jaw. Unclench your stomach. Slow deep breaths. Don't force anything.

Slowly return to centre

Lift your head gently. Pause. Breathe. Notice how the base of your skull feels now.

That decompression at the base of your skull? That's tension releasing from the suboccipital region. It can help temporarily. But if the headache keeps returning — the underlying structure needs to be properly assessed, not just stretched.

Important: This stretch is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional assessment. If you experience any pain, dizziness, or discomfort — stop immediately. Do not attempt this if you have a known neck injury, recent trauma, or have been advised against neck exercises by a healthcare provider. If your headaches are severe, sudden, or accompanied by fever, vision changes, or neurological symptoms, seek emergency care immediately. Individual results vary.

What we actually do

We find the structural cause — not just the symptom

Most headache patients who come to us have never had their cervical spine properly examined. We change that on day one.

Full structural and postural assessment on your first visit
X-ray analysis to see what no physical examination alone can show
We show you exactly what we find — on your X-ray, in plain language
A care plan targeting the root cause — not just headache management
No drugs. No surgery. Natural, drug-free care.

If it keeps coming back, your neck is where to start.

Book a consultation with Dr. Kan. Most patients leave their first visit with answers they have never had before.

Book my consultation →

First-time patients only. Our team will confirm your slot within 24 hours.

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