Tension headaches are the most common type of headache experienced by adults, and yet they are frequently misunderstood and under-treated. The heavy, band-like pressure across the forehead and temples, often accompanied by tightness in the neck and shoulders, is not just stress made manifest — it has a clear physical mechanism that chiropractic care is exceptionally well-positioned to address. At Unified Chiro in Merrylands, we help patients who have been relying on pain medication for years finally understand and resolve the root cause of their headaches.
The upper three vertebrae of the cervical spine — C1, C2, and C3 — have a direct neurological connection to the trigeminal nerve, which supplies sensation to the face and scalp. When these joints are restricted or irritated, they can generate referred pain that is experienced as a headache. This is known as a cervicogenic headache, and it is remarkably common in people with desk jobs or a history of neck strain. The suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull are also a notorious source of tension headache pain, frequently developing trigger points in response to forward head posture and sustained screen use.
At Unified Chiro in Merrylands, our approach to tension headaches includes careful assessment of upper cervical joint mobility, postural analysis, and identification of muscular trigger points. Treatment involves gentle chiropractic mobilisation and adjustment of the upper cervical and thoracic spine, dry needling of the suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles, and postural coaching to address the underlying drivers. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how quickly their headache frequency decreases when the physical causes are properly addressed.
Unified Chiro treats back pain, neck pain, sciatica and sports injuries from two clinics in Western Sydney — Merrylands and Lansvale.
Chiropractic care · Chiropractic adjustments · Dry needling & cupping · Remedial massage · Shockwave therapy · Cold laser therapy