Skip to content
RISE
RISE
Sports & Spinal
0409 794 007
Osteopathy · Headache Treatment Berwick

Headache
treatment.

Most headaches have a mechanical cause. We treat the source, not just the symptom.

Chronic headaches are exhausting — and frustratingly difficult to manage when the cause isn't identified. In Berwick, many of our headache patients come in having tried pain relief for months without lasting improvement. The reason: a large proportion of recurrent headaches are cervicogenic — driven by the neck — and respond to manual therapy rather than medication alone.

Last updated: October 2026

Chronic headaches are exhausting — and frustratingly difficult to manage when the cause isn't identified. In Berwick, many of our headache patients come in having tried pain relief for months without lasting improvement. The reason: a large proportion of recurrent headaches are cervicogenic — driven by the neck — and respond to manual therapy rather than medication alone. At RISE Sports & Spinal, we assess whether your headaches have a mechanical component and, if so, treat it directly.

For a full explanation of what causes headaches, how the different presentations are told apart, and what recovery usually looks like, read our complete guide to headaches.

Common causes

Cervicogenic headache

Read more →
Pain that originates from the upper cervical spine (C1–C3) and refers into the head. Typically one-sided, aggravated by neck movement, and associated with neck stiffness.

Tension-type headache

Read more →
The most common headache type — usually described as a bilateral pressure or tightening sensation. Often driven by suboccipital and upper trapezius tension from sustained postures.

Suboccipital trigger points

The four suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull can develop tender trigger points that refer pain in characteristic patterns across the head and behind the eye.

Thoracic spine restriction

Stiffness in the upper thoracic spine creates compensatory loading in the neck and can perpetuate headache cycles. Treating the thoracic spine alone often reduces headache frequency.
Close-up of a dry needling needle being placed into the upper trapezius muscle at the base of the neck
Dry needling for trigger points, where it is appropriate.

How we treat it

Assessment covers the full cervical and upper thoracic spine — range of motion, upper cervical joint provocation, neurological screening, and muscle patterning. We identify whether the headache has a cervical driver and treat accordingly with joint mobilisation, suboccipital soft tissue release, and postural correction. We also provide a home management plan to extend the benefits between sessions.

Ready to get started?

Same-week appointments available. Initial consult 60 min · $149 · HICAPS on-site.

Common questions

FAQ: headache treatment berwick

How do I know if my headaches are coming from my neck?
Key signs: headache triggered or worsened by neck movement, one-sided pattern, stiffness in the neck, relief with manual pressure at the base of the skull. We assess this formally at your first appointment.
Can osteopathy help with migraines?
Pure migraines (neurological) are managed with medication, but many people with diagnosed "migraine" have a significant cervical component that responds well to manual therapy. We'll give you an honest assessment.
How many sessions does it take?
Acute cervicogenic headaches: 3–6 sessions. Long-standing tension headaches with postural drivers: 6–10 sessions with home program.
Do you work with my GP or neurologist?
Yes. We write detailed treatment notes and communicate with other providers where needed.
Do I need a referral?
No. Book directly online. Medicare care plan referrals are welcome if your GP has referred you.
Do you see patients from around Berwick?
Yes. Most of our patients live within 10 to 15 minutes of the clinic: Berwick Village, Harkaway, Beaconsfield, Narre Warren North, and the estates along Clyde Road.
How do I know if my headache is coming from my neck?
Clues include a headache that starts at the base of the skull, neck stiffness, pain that changes with neck position or sustained postures, and a headache that's mostly on one side. We test the upper neck at your first appointment to see whether it reproduces the headache.

Seen enough?
Let's fix it.

Book an initial assessment in Berwick. Same-week availability most weeks.

Same-week appointments availableCall

Tweaks