Headache Treatment in Northampton
Living with frequent headaches can be truly debilitating. Headaches don't just cause physical pain; they can genuinely impact your quality of life, starting from missed workdays and poor sleep to difficulty concentrating and cancelled social plans.
Our Northampton-based clinic in Duston and Kislingbury sees hundreds of patients yearly with non-serious yet life-disrupting headaches. Many arrive feeling frustrated after trying numerous over-the-counter medications with only temporary relief.
Our Northampton-based clinic in Duston and Kislingbury sees hundreds of patients yearly with non-serious yet life-disrupting headaches. Many arrive feeling frustrated after trying numerous over-the-counter medications with only temporary relief.
Many patients who visit us report:
- Recurring migraines with visual disturbances and sensitivity to light
- Tension headaches that worsen during stressful periods or after long hours at a desk
- Neck-related headaches that intensify after screen time or poor sleeping positions
- Headaches linked to hormonal changes, particularly during perimenopause or menopause
- Sharp pain on one side of the head that comes and goes unpredictably
You're not alone in this struggle, and more importantly, there are effective, drug-free approaches to managing your headaches.
Common Types of Headaches We Treat
Not all headaches are the same, and neither should their treatment be. At Duston Chiropractic Clinic, we first identify the specific type of headache you're experiencing before tailoring a personalised treatment approach.
1. Migraine Headaches
Migraines can be episodic or chronic, often presenting with nausea, visual aura, and heightened sensitivity to sound and light. Many sufferers report throbbing pain on one side of the head that can last for hours or even days.
Research suggests that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, may help reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraines. It was also found that many migraine patients experienced significant improvement following a course of chiropractic treatments.
Our Approach Includes
2. Cervicogenic Headaches
These headaches originate in the neck or shoulders before radiating upward to cause head pain. They typically worsen with certain neck positions or movements and are increasingly common with our modern lifestyle factors such as posture, desk-based jobs or too much smartphone use. They can be associated with muscle imbalance - tightness around the top of the shoulders with pain and the back of the neck, with weakness of the deep neck stabilising muscles. Certain neck positions or movements can make them worse.
This increased strain on the joints and muscles then leads to painful headaches, which is why manual therapy and exercises given by chiropractors can be effective in managing symptoms. Helping a patient to understand how to prevent these in the long term through self-management and hearing about the results is always great for our chiropractors!
Our Chiropractic Approach
3. Tension-Type Headaches
Typically, a mild to moderate ache that is band-like or gripping around the head, usually you can continue with normal day-to-day tasks, but there is often a reduced motivation to exercise. These can be in episodes, but in some cases (over 15 days a month for 3 months) become chronic. Acupuncture and exercise advice have some merit in treating these headaches. They're frequently triggered by stress, dehydration, poor posture, or fatigue.
Our Chiropractic Approach
1. Migraine Headaches
Migraines can be episodic or chronic, often presenting with nausea, visual aura, and heightened sensitivity to sound and light. Many sufferers report throbbing pain on one side of the head that can last for hours or even days.
Research suggests that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, may help reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraines. It was also found that many migraine patients experienced significant improvement following a course of chiropractic treatments.
Our Approach Includes
- Spinal manipulation to address potential trigger areas
- Exercise advice to support long-term management
- Stress reduction techniques and lifestyle counselling
2. Cervicogenic Headaches
These headaches originate in the neck or shoulders before radiating upward to cause head pain. They typically worsen with certain neck positions or movements and are increasingly common with our modern lifestyle factors such as posture, desk-based jobs or too much smartphone use. They can be associated with muscle imbalance - tightness around the top of the shoulders with pain and the back of the neck, with weakness of the deep neck stabilising muscles. Certain neck positions or movements can make them worse.
This increased strain on the joints and muscles then leads to painful headaches, which is why manual therapy and exercises given by chiropractors can be effective in managing symptoms. Helping a patient to understand how to prevent these in the long term through self-management and hearing about the results is always great for our chiropractors!
Our Chiropractic Approach
- Manual therapy to release tension in cervical muscles
- Targeted spinal manipulation to improve neck mobility
- Targeted exercises to strengthen deep neck stabiliser muscles
- Postural correction and workstation assessment
3. Tension-Type Headaches
Typically, a mild to moderate ache that is band-like or gripping around the head, usually you can continue with normal day-to-day tasks, but there is often a reduced motivation to exercise. These can be in episodes, but in some cases (over 15 days a month for 3 months) become chronic. Acupuncture and exercise advice have some merit in treating these headaches. They're frequently triggered by stress, dehydration, poor posture, or fatigue.
Our Chiropractic Approach
- Acupuncture to release trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles
- Gentle spinal manipulation to reduce tension
- Stress-reducing posture and mobility strategies
- Lifestyle advice to prevent recurrence
When Should You Worry About a Headache?
While most headaches are non-serious and respond well to treatment, some warrant immediate medical attention. At Duston Chiropractic Clinic, patient safety is our top priority. While most headaches are harmless, some need urgent medical attention.
Contact 111, your GP, or emergency services if you experience:
If in doubt, consult with one of our chiropractors; we'll always refer you to the right professional when necessary. Our chiropractors are trained to identify red flag symptoms and will advise appropriate action if your headache requires medical investigation.
Contact 111, your GP, or emergency services if you experience:
- Sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache (intense pain reaching maximum within seconds)
- Headache following head trauma or injury
- Headache accompanied by numbness, weakness, or speech changes
- Headache triggered by coughing, fever, or straining
- New-onset headache if you're over 50 years old
- Headache with stiff neck and fever
If in doubt, consult with one of our chiropractors; we'll always refer you to the right professional when necessary. Our chiropractors are trained to identify red flag symptoms and will advise appropriate action if your headache requires medical investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Headache Treatment
1. Can chiropractic treatment help chronic headaches?
Yes, especially cervicogenic and tension-type headaches. Research published in the UK evidence report on manual therapies demonstrated positive outcomes for these headache types. We tailor care after a full assessment to address your specific headache pattern.
2. How soon will I see results?
Many patients feel improvement after 2–4 sessions, though chronic or complex cases may take longer. We'll establish clear expectations based on your individual presentation and monitor progress closely.
3. Is chiropractic treatment safe?
All treatments are tailored and carried out by trained professionals after a full assessment. Chiropractic is recognised as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for headache management.
4. Is treatment painful?
Our adjustments are gentle and safe. Most patients feel relief and improved mobility after their sessions, though some may experience mild soreness for 24-48 hours after treatment, similar to how muscles feel after exercise.
5. Why do I wake up with a headache?
Morning headaches can stem from several causes, including poor sleeping position, straining the neck, teeth grinding (bruxism), sleep apnoea, or dehydration. During your assessment, we'll discuss sleep patterns and positions to identify potential triggers.
Yes, especially cervicogenic and tension-type headaches. Research published in the UK evidence report on manual therapies demonstrated positive outcomes for these headache types. We tailor care after a full assessment to address your specific headache pattern.
2. How soon will I see results?
Many patients feel improvement after 2–4 sessions, though chronic or complex cases may take longer. We'll establish clear expectations based on your individual presentation and monitor progress closely.
3. Is chiropractic treatment safe?
All treatments are tailored and carried out by trained professionals after a full assessment. Chiropractic is recognised as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for headache management.
4. Is treatment painful?
Our adjustments are gentle and safe. Most patients feel relief and improved mobility after their sessions, though some may experience mild soreness for 24-48 hours after treatment, similar to how muscles feel after exercise.
5. Why do I wake up with a headache?
Morning headaches can stem from several causes, including poor sleeping position, straining the neck, teeth grinding (bruxism), sleep apnoea, or dehydration. During your assessment, we'll discuss sleep patterns and positions to identify potential triggers.
Why Choose Our Duston Chiropractic Clinic for Headache Relief?
- Local expertise in Northampton and Kislingbury with specialists in headache treatment
- Skilled chiropractors experienced in complex headache cases
- Patient education focused on long-term prevention, not just temporary relief
- Trusted by over 1,000 local patients for headache management
Don't let headaches control your life. With the right support and treatment approach, lasting relief is possible. Our friendly, qualified team is here to help, whether you're seeking answers or a solution to long-standing headache problems.
We understand the impact that persistent headaches can have on every aspect of your life, from work performance to family time. Our evidence-based approach targets the underlying causes of your pain, not just the symptoms.
Our Northampton Location
Duston Chiropractic Clinic
Duston Sports Centre
Cotswold Avenue
Duston, Northampton
NN5 6EX
Just 10 minutes from Northampton town centre
Phone: 01604 754456
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours
Duston Sports Centre
Cotswold Avenue
Duston, Northampton
NN5 6EX
Just 10 minutes from Northampton town centre
Phone: 01604 754456
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours
- Monday: 09.30 - 19.30
- Tuesday: 09.30 - 19.00
- Wednesday: 09.00 - 19.30
- Thursday: 09.30 - 19.00
- Friday: 09.00 - 18.30
- Alternate Saturdays: 09.00 - 13.00
