🤕Headaches: Serious issue? Or is it your neck - 4 ways to tell

Most of us have had a headache that ruins the day — that dull ache behind the eyes, the throb at the base of the skull, or the vice-like pressure that seems to tighten with stress.

But here’s the twist: not all headaches start in the head.

Many actually come from the neck — stiff joints, tense muscles, or posture strain that sneakily refer pain upward. So how can you tell if it’s a neck-related issue… or something that needs a deeper look?

In this guide, the team at Quest Physio Chermside break down four key clues that can help you tell the difference — and when it’s time to get a professional on your team.

1️⃣ Headache Starts in the Neck (and Creeps Upward)

If your headache builds from the back of your neck or upper shoulders and seems to travel toward your head, you might be dealing with a cervicogenic (neck-related) headache.

These headaches often come with:

• A dull ache that gets worse later in the day.

• Tightness in your neck or upper traps.

• Pain on one side only.

• Headaches that flare after long hours at your desk or on your phone.

Why it happens: the small joints and muscles in your upper neck share nerve pathways with your head — so when they’re irritated, the pain signal takes a detour upstairs.

👉 If this sounds familiar, your headache may have less to do with caffeine withdrawal and more to do with posture or muscle fatigue.

Man at computer, with headache and neck pain.

2️⃣ It Changes With Movement or Posture

Here’s a quick test — move your neck gently side to side or look over each shoulder. Does your headache change?

If it gets worse (or better) with movement, that’s a strong hint your neck is part of the problem. These headaches often come from facet joint stiffness or muscle tension that builds with static postures — think desk work, driving, or scrolling for too long.

At Quest Physio Chermside, we see this pattern a lot in office workers and tradies alike. The fix isn’t just pain relief — it’s improving how the neck moves and how those muscles share the load.

3️⃣ It Doesn’t Fit the “Classic” Headache Types

Not all headaches are created equal. Here’s how other common types tend to behave:

• Tension Headaches: Feel like a tight band around both sides of the head — often stress or fatigue-related.

• Migraines: Throbbing, one-sided pain that can bring nausea, blurred vision, or light sensitivity.

• Cluster Headaches: Intense stabbing pain around one eye, often appearing in short, recurring bursts.

If your pain doesn’t quite match those profiles and seems linked to movement or muscle tension, it’s worth considering the neck as the starting point.

4️⃣ There Are Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most headaches are harmless — but a few deserve immediate medical attention.

🚩 Seek medical help quickly if you notice:

• A sudden, severe “thunderclap” headache.

• New headaches appearing after age 50.

• Headaches with fever, rash, confusion, or vision changes.

• Headaches following head trauma or accompanied by dizziness or weakness.

At Quest Physio Chermside, our physiotherapists are trained to recognise when a headache isn’t just muscular. If we spot red flags, we’ll refer you straight to your GP or specialist — no guesswork, no delay.

Woman with new, sudden and severe headache.

💆‍♀️ How Physiotherapy Can Help (and Often Fix It)

If your headaches are neck-related, physiotherapy can make a huge difference.

We start by figuring out why your neck is contributing to pain — and then we treat the cause, not just the ache.

Treatment might include:

• Manual therapy to release stiff joints and restore mobility.

• Targeted massage for overworked neck muscles (like the traps or suboccipitals).

• Posture retraining and strength work to help your neck handle daily stress.

• Lifestyle tweaks — workstation setup, pillow choice, hydration, and stress management.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. The goal is simple: reduce irritation, retrain movement, and keep the pain from coming back.

🧭 The Takeaway: Don’t Push Through the Pain

If your headaches always seem to start in your neck or shoulders, your body is trying to tell you something.

The good news? You don’t have to just “put up with it.”

At Quest Physio Chermside, we help people get to the root cause of recurring headaches — whether it’s posture, muscle imbalance, or something more. And if it’s not something physiotherapy can fix, we’ll make sure you get the right referral.

👉 Stop letting headaches call the shots. Book a session, get answers, and start feeling like yourself again.

Woman, now free of headaches and neck pain dancing in the park