Headache or Migraine? How to Tell the Difference (and What May Help)

Headaches are one of the most common complaints we see at Banora Chiropractic. But not all headaches are created equal. Understanding what type of headache you're dealing with is an important first step toward managing it effectively — because the causes, and the best approach, can be quite different.

What's the difference between a headache and a migraine?

A headache is pain in the head, scalp, or neck. There are many different types — tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches (coming from the neck), cluster headaches, and more. Most are uncomfortable but manageable.

A migraine is a neurological condition that causes a specific type of severe, often debilitating headache. It's not just a bad headache — it's a distinct medical condition with its own set of symptoms, triggers, and patterns.

Signs it might be a migraine

Migraines tend to have some distinguishing features:

• Pulsing or throbbing pain — often on one side of the head (though not always)
• Moderate to severe intensity — enough to interfere with daily activities
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and sound — many people need to lie down in a dark, quiet room
• Aura — around a third of migraine sufferers experience an aura: visual disturbances like zigzag lines, blind spots, or flashing lights before the headache begins
• Duration — migraines typically last between 4 and 72 hours without treatment

Signs it might be a tension headache

Tension headaches are the most common type and tend to feel quite different:

• A dull, aching, pressure-like pain — often described as a tight band around the head
• Pain that affects both sides of the head
• Tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulders
• Usually mild to moderate in intensity — you can often still function, though uncomfortably
• No nausea or light sensitivity (or much milder versions)

What about cervicogenic headaches?

A cervicogenic headache is one that originates from the neck. It's often caused by stiffness or dysfunction in the joints of the upper cervical spine, and can sometimes be confused with both tension headaches and migraines.

These headaches typically:

• Start at the base of the skull and radiate forward
• Are associated with neck pain or stiffness
• May be triggered or worsened by certain neck movements or positions
• Are often worse after sleeping in an awkward position or sitting at a screen for a long time

Cervicogenic headaches are something chiropractors see frequently — and they respond particularly well to hands-on care.

Common triggers

Regardless of headache type, some common triggers include:

• Stress and tension (especially held in the neck and shoulders)
• Poor sleep or irregular sleep patterns
• Dehydration
• Screen time and eye strain
• Poor posture — especially prolonged forward head posture
• Dietary factors (more relevant to migraines — common culprits include caffeine, alcohol, aged cheese, and processed foods)
• Hormonal changes (particularly relevant for women)
• Bright lights, strong smells, or loud noise (migraine triggers)

How chiropractic care may help

Chiropractic care isn't a treatment for all headache types — but it may be genuinely helpful for certain kinds, particularly:

• Cervicogenic headaches — where there's a clear neck component, chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy targeting the upper cervical spine may help reduce both the frequency and intensity of headaches.
• Tension headaches — addressing muscle tension and joint stiffness in the neck and upper back may help reduce the frequency of tension-type headaches.
• Migraines with a cervical component — some migraine sufferers have found that addressing neck dysfunction helps reduce the frequency of their migraines, though the evidence is more variable here.

We always assess thoroughly before making any recommendations. If your headaches are frequent, severe, or changing in character, we would also encourage you to speak with your GP to rule out other causes.

When to seek urgent care

Most headaches are not dangerous — but some warrant prompt medical attention. See a doctor urgently if you experience:

• A sudden, severe headache that comes on very rapidly ("thunderclap" headache)
• Headache with fever, stiff neck, or rash
• Headache following a head injury
• Headache with vision changes, weakness, difficulty speaking, or confusion

If you're dealing with frequent headaches and haven't been able to get on top of them, come in and see us at Banora Chiropractic in Tweed Heads South. We'll assess what's going on and give you an honest picture of whether we can help.