Experiencing Migraines with Neck Pain or Stiffness?
If you suffer from recurrent migraines that are accompanied by neck pain, stiffness, or tension, you may be dealing with migraine-related neck dysfunction. Many patients are surprised to learn that the cervical spine—especially the upper neck—can play a significant role in triggering or intensifying migraine episodes.
At PACT Physio & Rehab, located in Miranda, NSW, we specialise in treating the musculoskeletal and neurological contributors to migraine headaches. Using hands-on physiotherapy, dry needling, ergonomic correction, and personalised rehab, we help patients get relief—without over-reliance on medication.
What Is Migraine-Related Neck Dysfunction?
Migraine-related neck dysfunction refers to restricted mobility, muscular tension, and sensitisation of nerves in the neck and upper cervical spine that contribute to the onset or severity of migraine attacks. While migraines are often considered a neurological condition, the neck and surrounding structures can play a key role in both the cause and perpetuation of symptoms.
This dysfunction often involves:
- Tight cervical muscles (especially upper traps, levator scapulae, suboccipitals)
- Cervical joint restrictions at C0–C3
- Sensitisation of the trigeminocervical complex, where neck and head pain pathways converge
- Postural overload and repetitive strain injuries (RSI) from poor desk or work ergonomics
Common Symptoms of Migraine-Related Neck Dysfunction
- Unilateral or bilateral neck pain preceding or during a migraine
- Headache pain that starts in the neck or base of the skull
- Tightness in the upper shoulders or occipital region
- Limited neck mobility, especially with rotation or side-bending
- Increased sensitivity to light, sound, or smell during headache episodes
- Muscle trigger points that reproduce head pain
Why Neck Dysfunction Matters in Migraine Care
The trigeminocervical nucleus, located in the brainstem, receives input from both the upper cervical nerves and the trigeminal nerve (which mediates facial and head sensation). When neck structures are irritated or dysfunctional, they can amplify pain signals, increasing migraine frequency, intensity, and duration.
Many patients who suffer migraines also have poor posture, jaw clenching, or stress-related muscle overactivity—all of which contribute to cervical spine overload and dysfunction.
How PACT Physio & Rehab in Miranda Can Help
We specialise in treating chronic tension-type headaches by relieving the muscle and joint dysfunctions that cause them—helping you reduce pain, restore function, and prevent future flare-ups.
✅ Trigger Point Dry Needling
We use dry needling to deactivate painful trigger points in the upper traps, suboccipitals, SCMs, temporalis, and surrounding muscles. This can dramatically reduce tension and improve blood flow, often with immediate relief.
✅ Manual Therapy & Soft Tissue Release
Hands-on techniques to release muscle knots, improve fascial glide, and mobilise stiff cervical joints that contribute to referred pain.
✅ Ergonomic & Postural Assessment
We evaluate your desk, chair, screen setup, and posture habits. Simple changes in ergonomics and posture retraining can reduce daily neck strain that feeds headache patterns.
✅ Exercise-Based Rehab
You’ll receive a tailored program to stretch tight areas, strengthen postural muscles, and retrain normal movement patterns. Perfect for home, office, or gym use.
✅ Telehealth Appointments Available
Not in Miranda? We provide telehealth physiotherapy across Australia, including ergonomic assessments and guided headache rehab via secure video consults.
We Help People With:
- Chronic daily tension headaches
- Headaches caused by posture, stress, or screen time
- Remote workers and students
- Workers’ compensation or CTP injuries
- Jaw tension and TMJ-related headaches
- Stress-related muscular pain
- Private clients seeking relief without relying on medication
📍 In-Person Care Across the Sutherland Shire
We treat clients from Miranda, Caringbah, Gymea, Sylvania, Kirrawee, Cronulla, Menai, and across the Sutherland Shire. Our Miranda clinic is known for personalised, evidence-based care—especially for complex headache and neck pain conditions.
💻 Telehealth Physiotherapy Available Australia-Wide
Whether you're in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, or a regional centre, we can support you via secure, remote telehealth physiotherapy.
We frequently work with clients from:
- Western Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong, and beyond
- State and federal Workers’ Compensation, CTP, and Comcare
- Private patients with chronic headache or neck pain
Stop Letting Migraine Headaches Control Your Life
At PACT Physio & Rehab, we know how frustrating it is to manage migraines that don’t respond to typical treatment. If your neck is a trigger, we’ll help you address it with targeted physiotherapy that gets real results. Whether you're local to the Sutherland Shire or connecting with us via telehealth, we’ll tailor your care every step of the way.
Book Your Appointment Today
Don’t let suboccipital pain take over your day. Book an appointment with Andrew Ellis, physiotherapist and dry needling expert, and start your path to recovery.
👉Book Your Appointment | PACT Physio & Rehab
📞 (02) 8330 6776
