- posted: Jul. 31, 2025
Most people think of headaches and migraines as problems that start in the head. In some cases, however, the real issue starts further down: In the spine. At Dr. Tom McNulty’s, McNulty Chiropractic in Highland Park, IL, we sometimes see patients with chronic head pain who also have back or neck tension. When we focus on treating the spine, the headaches often ease up too. It’s not magic—it’s about how everything in the body is connected.
Understanding the Spine-Headache Connection
Your spine acts like a communication highway between your brain and body. When something’s off, especially in the upper back or neck, it can irritate nerves and muscles that lead straight to the head.
Common links between back pain and headaches:
Muscle tension in the upper back and shoulders pulling on the neck,
Misaligned vertebrae pressing on nerves that lead to the head,
Poor posture increasing strain on the cervical spine,
And inflammation that spreads upward from the back.
How Chiropractic Treatment Helps
At Dr. Tom McNulty’s, McNulty Chiropractic, we use spinal adjustments to relieve pressure and improve motion in the back and neck. That helps restore normal nerve function, reduce muscle tension, and ease the kind of strain that often leads to headaches or migraines.
Treatments may include:
Spinal adjustments to align joints and reduce nerve stress,
Muscle therapy to relax tight areas in the upper back,
Posture correction and ergonomic advice,
And home stretches or exercises to keep things moving between visits.
By treating the back, we can often calm the whole system: Especially if headaches are triggered by physical tension.
When Headaches and Back Pain Happen Together
People who sit at desks all day or spend lots of time on their phones often have both back and head pain. It starts with slouching, leads to neck strain, and then builds into a headache that won’t go away. Sometimes, the headaches even show up before the back pain is noticed.
Signs your headaches might be connected to your back:
They start at the base of the skull or behind the eyes,
They come on after long hours of sitting or lifting,
Your neck or upper back feels tight at the same time,
Over-the-counter meds don’t help much.
Get Back Pain Treatment from Your Chiropractor Near You, Dr. Tom McNulty
At Dr. Tom McNulty’s, McNulty Chiropractic, in Highland Park, IL, we look at the whole picture—not just where the pain is, but what’s causing it. If you’ve been struggling with headaches or migraines and haven’t found a solution that lasts, your spine might be the missing piece. Call us at (847) 831-5252 for back pain treatment from your chiropractor near you, Dr. Tom McNulty.
- posted: Jul. 31, 2025
Most people think of headaches and migraines as problems that start in the head. In some cases, however, the real issue starts further down: In the spine. At Dr. Tom McNulty’s, McNulty Chiropractic in Highland Park, IL, we sometimes see patients with chronic head pain who also have back or neck tension. When we focus on treating the spine, the headaches often ease up too. It’s not magic—it’s about how everything in the body is connected.
Understanding the Spine-Headache Connection
Your spine acts like a communication highway between your brain and body. When something’s off, especially in the upper back or neck, it can irritate nerves and muscles that lead straight to the head.
Common links between back pain and headaches:
Muscle tension in the upper back and shoulders pulling on the neck,
Misaligned vertebrae pressing on nerves that lead to the head,
Poor posture increasing strain on the cervical spine,
And inflammation that spreads upward from the back.
How Chiropractic Treatment Helps
At Dr. Tom McNulty’s, McNulty Chiropractic, we use spinal adjustments to relieve pressure and improve motion in the back and neck. That helps restore normal nerve function, reduce muscle tension, and ease the kind of strain that often leads to headaches or migraines.
Treatments may include:
Spinal adjustments to align joints and reduce nerve stress,
Muscle therapy to relax tight areas in the upper back,
Posture correction and ergonomic advice,
And home stretches or exercises to keep things moving between visits.
By treating the back, we can often calm the whole system: Especially if headaches are triggered by physical tension.
When Headaches and Back Pain Happen Together
People who sit at desks all day or spend lots of time on their phones often have both back and head pain. It starts with slouching, leads to neck strain, and then builds into a headache that won’t go away. Sometimes, the headaches even show up before the back pain is noticed.
Signs your headaches might be connected to your back:
They start at the base of the skull or behind the eyes,
They come on after long hours of sitting or lifting,
Your neck or upper back feels tight at the same time,
Over-the-counter meds don’t help much.
Get Back Pain Treatment from Your Chiropractor Near You, Dr. Tom McNulty
At Dr. Tom McNulty’s, McNulty Chiropractic, in Highland Park, IL, we look at the whole picture—not just where the pain is, but what’s causing it. If you’ve been struggling with headaches or migraines and haven’t found a solution that lasts, your spine might be the missing piece. Call us at (847) 831-5252 for back pain treatment from your chiropractor near you, Dr. Tom McNulty.