Migraines, cervicogenic headaches and occipital neuralgia support
When headaches become chronic, people often bounce between labels: migraine, tension headache, cervicogenic headache, occipital neuralgia, sinus headache, stress headache. Sometimes the upper neck is a major missing piece.
Back to Health. Back to You. If your headache pattern starts in the neck, base of the skull or behind the eye — or gets worse with neck motion — upper cervical evaluation deserves consideration.
Why headache patients search upper cervical care
The upper cervical spine can refer pain into the head, behind the eyes, around the temples and into the scalp. For some people, that overlap blends with migraine or occipital nerve irritation. They may notice headaches after posture stress, poor sleep, travel, screens, lifting or head injury.
That does not mean all migraines are cervical. It means some chronic headache sufferers are carrying both a headache disorder and a neck-driven trigger pattern. Those patients often do better when the neck is evaluated seriously instead of treated like an afterthought.
For some headache sufferers, the neck is not a side note. It is the switchboard.
Welcome Back Chiropractic serves Austin, Westlake, Lakeway, Westlake Hills, Spicewood, Marble Falls and surrounding communities. For complex cases, the goal is clarity, not overclaiming.
This page may fit if you deal with
Symptoms people often describe
- Base-of-skull headaches or pain that travels from neck to head
- One-sided headaches, behind-the-eye pain or scalp sensitivity
- Headaches worsened by neck motion, posture, screens or driving
- Light/sound sensitivity, nausea or dizziness layered into the picture
- Recurring headache flares after concussion, whiplash or stress load
What patients usually want
- A doctor who looks at the whole picture, not just one label.
- A gentle approach that does not unnecessarily stir up a sensitive system.
- Honest guidance about whether conservative care fits — or whether a referral matters first.
- A plan that respects real life: work, driving, screens, sleep, family, recovery and function.
Why upper cervical care gets searched
When the top of the neck is irritated, overloaded or not tolerating motion well, the symptom spillover can be surprisingly broad. That is why so many people with “mystery” head, neck, dizziness and nervous-system complaints start looking for precise upper cervical help.
A more useful question than ‘is it migraine or neck?’
The better question is often: how much is the upper neck contributing? If it is a major driver, reducing that irritation may lower frequency, intensity or recovery time — even if migraine biology is still part of the picture.
Care should stay collaborative. Headache patients may also need neurology, medication support, hormonal evaluation, sleep work, trigger management and stress-load changes. Upper cervical care is often most helpful when it is not asked to be the only tool in the toolbox.
Our promise on complex cases
We would rather position your case honestly than oversell what one office can do. If conservative upper cervical support makes sense, great. If you need imaging review, neurology, cardiology, vestibular rehab, PT, dental/TMJ work, pediatric care or neurosurgical guidance first, we will tell you.
Urgent headache red flags include
- Sudden worst headache of your life
- Headache with stroke symptoms, fever, confusion or new neurological deficits
- Headache after major trauma
- Major change from your usual pattern
Frequently asked questions
How do cervicogenic headaches differ from migraines?
Cervicogenic headaches often worsen with neck motion or limited neck range, while migraines can bring light sensitivity, nausea and other neurological features. Some patients experience overlap.
What about occipital neuralgia?
Occipital neuralgia can create sharp, burning or electric pain in the back of the head and scalp. It deserves proper evaluation, especially when symptoms are severe or persistent.
Can upper cervical care help chronic headaches?
It can help selected patients, particularly when the upper neck is clearly contributing to the pattern.
Ready to talk through your case?
Dr. Scott Sweeney and the team at Welcome Back Chiropractic are here to help you sort through the upper cervical piece of your story with a calmer, more careful approach.
Phone
512-910-2300
Location
205 S Wild Basin Rd, Bldg 2A, Austin, TX 78746
Serving Austin, Westlake, Lakeway and surrounding communities with gentle upper cervical care.