Headaches & Migraines

Migraines and chronic headaches are surprisingly common among the general population and they can really disrupt everyday life. Around 12% of people experience migraines, and about 4% live with chronic headaches. It’s no surprise that when suffering these debilitating attacks, most people with migraines struggle with work or perform social activities, and the same is correct for about 60% of people with Tension Type Headaches.

In the UK, migraines and headaches lead to around £4.5 million NHS consultations every year. And it’s not just adults— up to 20% of adolescents also deal with severe headaches. 

Can chiropractic help?

Chiropractic can sit alongside medication rather than trying to replace it. It gives people another way to manage their headaches — whether they can’t take certain medications, haven’t had much success with them, or simply do better when both approaches are used together. It’s widely recognised as a key part of headache care, and most major guidelines around the world, including those used by the UK NHS, support a team based approach that brings different specialists together.

Chiropractors play a hands on role in that mix. They assess how the spine and surrounding tissues are functioning and use techniques like manipulation, mobilisation, soft tissue work, and rehab exercises to help improve movement and reduce strain. Their six year training also covers neurological assessment and neuroscience, which helps them understand how the nervous system ties into headache patterns. In the UK, only chiropractors and osteopaths spend their entire training developing manipulation and mobilisation skills.