Headaches in Brentwood Bay: Causes, Treatment & When to See a Chiropractor

Almost everyone gets a headache now and then. But when headaches show up several times a week, start at the base of your skull, or keep coming back no matter how much water you drink or how many painkillers you take, they are usually telling you something specific. Very often that something involves your neck, jaw, posture or stress load.

The challenge is that “headache” isn’t a diagnosis. Tension-type headaches, cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches and migraines feel different, have different drivers and respond to different treatment. Getting the type right is what separates a plan that works from months of trial and error.

In this guide we cover how headaches are classified, the most common causes we see at Brentwood Chiropractic Group, how our team treats them, and the warning signs that mean you should see a doctor right away. If you’re ready to get assessed, you can book online here or call 250-223-0200.

Understanding Headaches: Why Diagnosis Matters

Headaches fall into two broad groups. Primary headaches, with tension-type headache and migraine being the big two, are conditions in their own right. Secondary headaches are caused by something else: a problem in the neck, a jaw issue, a concussion, medication overuse or, rarely, a serious medical condition.

On the musculoskeletal side, the key anatomy is the upper neck. The nerves from the top three cervical segments share a relay station in the brainstem (the trigeminocervical nucleus) with the nerve that supplies the head and face. That shared wiring is why a stiff joint or irritated muscle at the top of your neck can be felt as pain behind the eye, at the temple or across the forehead.

It’s also why so many people end up treating the wrong thing. A cervicogenic headache won’t respond well to migraine medication, and a true migraine won’t be fixed by massage alone. A thorough history and physical exam, including neck movement, joint testing, muscle assessment, a jaw screen and a neurological check, tells us which type (or combination) you have, and whether anything needs medical follow-up first.

Common Causes of Headaches

1. Tension-Type Headaches

This is the most common headache type. It’s typically described as a band-like pressure or tightness across the forehead, temples or back of the head, felt on both sides. Tension-type headaches are usually mild to moderate and don’t come with the nausea or light sensitivity of migraine.

They are closely linked to sustained tension in the neck, shoulder and scalp muscles, along with stress, poor sleep and long periods in one position. Trigger points in the upper trapezius, suboccipitals and sternocleidomastoid can refer pain in exactly the pattern people describe.

2. Cervicogenic Headaches (Referred from the Neck)

Cervicogenic headaches start in the neck and are felt in the head. They’re usually one-sided, begin at the base of the skull and spread forward, and are often brought on or made worse by neck movement or sustained postures. Many people also notice reduced neck rotation toward one side.

The source is typically the upper cervical joints (C1–C3) or the surrounding muscles. Old whiplash, arthritis, desk posture and contact sports can all contribute. If your headaches come with neck pain, our neck pain guide covers the neck side in more depth.

3. Migraine

Migraine is a neurological condition, not simply a bad headache. Attacks are usually moderate to severe, often one-sided and throbbing, and commonly come with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes an aura (visual changes or tingling) beforehand.

Chiropractic care doesn’t cure migraine, and we’re clear about that. But many migraine sufferers also carry neck tension and stiffness that can lower their threshold for attacks, and research supports exercise, acupuncture and stress management as part of prevention. We work alongside your family doctor, who remains the lead on migraine diagnosis and medication.

4. Posture, Desk Work and “Tech Neck”

Every inch your head drifts forward increases the load on your neck and upper back muscles. Hours at a laptop, looking down at a phone or driving long distances keep the suboccipital muscles contracted and the upper neck joints compressed, which is a reliable recipe for end-of-day headaches.

Small changes to your workstation and regular movement breaks make a real difference. Our tips for sitting posture at your computer and maintaining good posture throughout the day are good starting points.

5. Jaw (TMJ) Dysfunction

The jaw joint sits just in front of the ear, and its muscles, especially the temporalis and masseter, refer pain to the temples, cheeks and around the ear. Clenching or grinding, often during sleep or stressful periods, is a common and frequently overlooked cause of morning headaches.

Jaw clicking, tenderness when chewing, or waking up with a sore jaw alongside your headaches are all clues. The jaw and upper neck are closely linked, so we assess both and coordinate with your dentist when a night guard may help.

6. Concussion and Whiplash

Headache is the most common symptom after a concussion, and it’s also very common after a motor vehicle accident, even a low-speed one. Post-traumatic headaches can come from the brain injury itself, from the neck (whiplash often injures the upper cervical joints and muscles), or both.

These headaches need a careful, graded approach. See our post on what to look for with a concussion. If your headaches followed a car crash, treatment is typically covered under ICBC’s Enhanced Care model.

7. Stress, Sleep, Dehydration and Lifestyle Triggers

Poor or short sleep, skipped meals, dehydration, alcohol, changes in caffeine intake and periods of high stress are all well-established headache triggers. Frequent use of pain medication can also create a rebound pattern known as medication-overuse headache.

We look at these factors in every assessment, because treating the neck while ignoring a four-hours-a-night sleep pattern rarely gives lasting results. Our article on sleep, fuel, water and oxygen covers the basics.

How We Treat Headaches at Brentwood Chiropractic Group

Because headaches have several possible drivers, our plans are usually multidisciplinary. Having chiropractors, registered massage therapists, an osteopath, acupuncture and athletic therapy under one roof means we can match treatment to the cause rather than forcing every headache into one approach.

Chiropractic Adjustment and Joint Mobilization

For cervicogenic and many tension-type headaches, restoring movement in stiff upper neck and mid-back joints can reduce pain and headache frequency. Our chiropractors use gentle, specific adjustments and lower-force mobilization, always adapted to your comfort, age and history.

Treatment is guided by your exam findings. If a particular technique isn’t suitable for you, for example with certain vascular or inflammatory conditions, we use alternatives.

Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston

Tight suboccipital, upper trapezius, levator scapulae and jaw muscles are frequent headache generators. ART and instrument-assisted techniques like Graston release these tissues and address the trigger points that refer pain into the head.

Osteopathy

Our osteopath uses gentle manual techniques through the neck, skull base, jaw, rib cage and diaphragm. It’s a good fit for patients who prefer a softer approach or whose headaches are tied to overall tension and breathing patterns.

Registered Massage Therapy

Massage reduces muscle tension, calms the nervous system and is well supported for tension-type headaches. Our registered massage therapists focus on the neck, shoulders, scalp and jaw, and many patients book regular sessions during stressful periods to keep headaches at bay.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has good research support for reducing the frequency of both tension-type headache and migraine, making it a useful option for people who want to cut back on medication. Learn more about acupuncture at our clinic and how chiropractic and acupuncture work together.

Exercise Rehabilitation

Exercise is what makes results last. Deep neck flexor training, shoulder blade strengthening and upper back mobility work have been shown to reduce headache frequency, especially for neck-related headaches. We give you a short, specific home program, not a generic handout.

Athletic Therapy

For concussion and sport-related headaches, our athletic therapists guide graded return-to-activity and return-to-play plans, including cervical and vestibular rehab when the neck or balance system is involved.

When Should You See a Chiropractor for Headaches?

Consider booking an assessment if you notice any of the following:

• Headaches more than a few times a month, or becoming more frequent

• Headaches that start at the base of the skull or in the neck

• Headaches that get worse with neck movement, desk work or driving

• A stiff, sore neck or reduced neck rotation alongside your headaches

• One-sided headaches that always stay on the same side

• Jaw pain, clicking or clenching with temple headaches

• Relying on pain medication several days a week

• Headaches after a sports injury or fall, once you’ve been medically cleared

• Pain following a motor vehicle accident — covered under ICBC Enhanced Care with no out-of-pocket cost

• Headaches linked to workplace posture or a work injury — you can submit your receipts to WorkSafeBC for reimbursement

When to Seek Urgent Medical Care

Some headaches need emergency or same-day medical assessment rather than a chiropractor. Call 911 or go to the emergency department if you have:

• A sudden, severe headache that reaches full intensity within about a minute (often described as the worst headache of your life)

• Headache with fever, a stiff neck, confusion or a rash

• New weakness, numbness, slurred speech, facial droop, vision loss or trouble walking

• A headache that worsens after a head injury, or comes with repeated vomiting or increasing drowsiness

• A new or changing headache pattern if you’re over 50, pregnant, or have a history of cancer or a weakened immune system

We screen for these signs at every assessment and will refer you to your doctor or the emergency department if needed.

Related Conditions We Treat

Headaches rarely travel alone. These related conditions often show up together and are treated as part of the same plan:

• Neck pain — the most common partner of cervicogenic and tension-type headaches. Read our neck pain guide.

• Shoulder and upper back tension — tight upper trapezius and shoulder blade muscles feed directly into headache patterns. See our shoulder pain guide.

• Concussion — post-concussion headaches need graded, supervised care. Learn what to watch for after a concussion.

• Whiplash and car accident injuries — upper neck injuries are a leading cause of post-crash headaches. Our ICBC recovery guide explains your coverage.

• Stress and chronic tension — read about the role of chiropractic and massage in stress relief.

• Jaw (TMJ) pain — clenching and jaw dysfunction commonly drive temple and morning headaches.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first appointment takes 30–45 minutes. We start with a detailed headache history (where it hurts, how often, what triggers it and what you’ve already tried), then assess your neck, upper back, jaw and posture and run a neurological screen. Keeping a simple headache diary for a week or two beforehand is helpful but not required.

By the end of the visit you’ll know what type of headache we think you’re dealing with, what’s driving it and what the plan looks like. Many patients with neck-related or tension-type headaches notice a change in frequency within the first few weeks. Longer-standing or mixed patterns take more time, and we’ll tell you honestly what to expect. Read more about what to expect as a new patient.

We offer direct billing to most extended health plans and accept ICBC claims. For WorkSafeBC claims, you pay at your visit and submit your receipt to WorkSafeBC for reimbursement.

Book a Headache Assessment in Brentwood Bay

You don’t have to accept regular headaches as part of life. Whether yours come from the neck, the jaw, stress or a past injury, the first step is finding out what’s actually driving them.

Brentwood Chiropractic Group is located at 108-7088 W Saanich Rd in Brentwood Bay and serves Central Saanich, Saanichton, Sidney, North Saanich, Deep Cove, Royal Oak and Greater Victoria. You can book online here or call us at 250-223-0200.