Headaches are one of the most common pain complaints, affecting nearly everyone at some point in their lives.
But not all headaches are created equal.
The location, intensity, and quality of the pain can offer valuable clues about what’s causing it—and how best to treat it.
Different Types of Headaches and What They May Be Telling You
Understanding your headache type is the first step in managing it effectively. Here’s a breakdown of common headache types, what they signal, and how we can help.
1. Tension-Type Headache
Location- Forehead, temples, back of the head
Pain Type- Dull, aching, tight or pressure-like
Duration- 30 minutes to several hours (sometimes days)
Tension headaches are the most common type and are often triggered by stress, fatigue, poor posture, or jaw clenching. You might feel like there’s a tight band around your head.
What it’s telling you-
You may be carrying tension in your neck, shoulders, or upper back. Contributing factors can include eye strain, dehydration, or skipped meals.
Treatment tips –
– Correct posture, both at work and during sleep
– Gentle neck and shoulder stretches
– Heat therapy for muscle tightness
– Breathing exercises or stress management techniques
– The Watson Headache Approach can identify if upper cervical tension is contributing and provide targeted manual therapy for relief
2. Migraine and Cluster Headaches
Location – Usually one side of the head, around the temple or behind the eye
Pain Type – Throbbing or pulsing
Duration – 4–72 hours
Associated Symptoms – Nausea, light/sound sensitivity, visual disturbances (aura)
Although migraines and cluster headaches present differently, both may share similar underlying mechanisms involving dysfunction in the nervous system. These headache types can be linked to brainstem sensitivity and hypersensitive pain pathways. Cervical spine dysfunction may also play a role in triggering or sustaining symptoms—especially in individuals with neck tension or poor posture.
What they’re telling you –
Your headache may be part of a broader neurological sensitivity, potentially influenced by environmental, hormonal, or mechanical triggers. Migraines tend to have a hereditary component.
Treatment tips –
– Keep a headache diary to identify and avoid common triggers
– Use cold compresses (for migraines) or oxygen therapy (for clusters)
– Consult a GP or neurologist for personalised medical management
– The Watson Headache Approach has demonstrated effectiveness in both migraine and cluster headache sufferers—particularly where the upper cervical spine is contributing to overstimulation of the brainstem
– Our physiotherapists can assess for cervicogenic involvement and use manual therapy to reduce headache frequency and intensity
3. Cervicogenic Headache
Location – Starts in the neck and radiates to the head (often one-sided)
Pain Type – Steady, non-throbbing; worsens with neck movement
Duration – Variable
Cervicogenic headaches originate from structures in the neck, such as joints, discs, or muscles. They are common in people with whiplash injuries, poor posture, or prolonged screen use.
What it’s telling you –
There may be mechanical dysfunction in the upper cervical spine referring pain to the head.
Treatment tips:
– Targeted physiotherapy to improve neck mobility and posture
– Manual therapy or dry needling for tight cervical muscles
– Strengthening exercises for deep neck stabilisers
When to Seek Professional Help
While most headaches are not dangerous, some symptoms should not be ignored. Seek urgent medical attention if your headache is –
– Sudden and severe (“thunderclap headache”)
– Associated with confusion, vision changes, or difficulty speaking
– Triggered by coughing, sneezing, or exertion
– Follows a recent head injury
If you experience recurring headaches—especially those involving neck pain or posture—it’s time to consider targeted physiotherapy.
The Watson Headache Approach at Sandgate Physical Health Clinic
Developed by Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist Dean Watson, the Watson Headache Approach is a highly specialised method of assessing and treating the upper cervical spine. This technique is especially effective for headaches with a cervicogenic component or where the neck contributes to migraine-like symptoms.
Our Watson Headache trained physiotherapists use precise manual techniques to gently examine the top three spinal segments in the neck. This approach helps desensitise the brainstem and restore normal pain processing, often leading to immediate and long-term relief.
At Sandgate Physical Health Clinic, Jack Clancy, Ann Chipa, and Ellie Widdicombe have all completed advanced training and received mentoring from one of Australia’s leading Watson Headache Practitioners. Our clinic has been applying the Watson Headache Approach for over 10 years with great success in improving patients’ quality of life—often after other treatments have failed.
Need Help Managing Your Headaches?
At Sandgate Physical Health Clinic, we take a team-based and holistic approach to treating headaches. Our Physiotherapists, Remedial Massage Therapists, and Acupuncturist are all experienced in headache care and work together to develop a personalised treatment plan.
Whether you’re suffering from tension-type headaches, migraines, or neck-related pain, our goal is to get you pain-free and back to doing what you love.
Call us on 07 3869 1099 or BOOK ONLINE today!