Can Chiropractic Help with Childhood Headaches & Migraines?

Dr Johanna McFadgen – Chiropractor

As chiropractors, we often see adults with chronic headaches—but did you know that children can suffer from them too? One of the most common reasons parents bring their kids into our clinic is persistent headaches or migraines that just won’t go away, even after trying medications or seeing other health professionals.

Let me share a recent case that really highlights how chiropractic care can make a tangible difference in a child’s quality of life.

Case Study: From Frustrating Headaches to Freedom

We recently met an active 11-year-old boy who came to the clinic with a long history of headaches. These headaches would get worse throughout the school day, sometimes leaving him sensitive to light and, on a few occasions, nauseated. His family had already seen their GP and ruled out any serious causes through head scans—but the headaches kept coming, at least twice a week.

His mum was understandably concerned. He was relying on Nurofen for relief, but she didn’t want to keep giving him medication so frequently. He played a lot of contact sports—rugby league, Oz tag, swimming, and touch footy—and the headaches tended to spike after training or games. He had also experienced a few mild concussions during footy, though he followed the correct return-to-play protocols at the time.

When we dug deeper, we also learned that he slept on his tummy most nights—a habit that can affect spinal alignment in growing kids.

What We Found in the Initial Assessment

During our initial assessment, several things stood out:

  • Forward head posture, common in kids who spend time looking down at screens or doing homework.
  • Restricted movement in the cervical and upper thoracic spine.
  • Tight musculature on the right side of his neck, particularly in the suboccipital and upper trapezius area.

Combined with his sporting history and previous minor concussions, these factors pointed towards a musculoskeletal and postural cause for his recurring headaches.

Chiropractic Treatment Plan & Progress

We created a tailored chiropractic care plan—gentle, age-appropriate, and designed to complement his busy, active lifestyle.

We started with 4-6 weekly sessions focusing on improving cervical spine mobility, releasing tension in the neck and upper back, and supporting better postural habits. We also discussed retraining his sleep position and added simple home stretches to support spinal health.

The results were almost immediate. After just one session, his mum shared that he had only one mild headache after school—and didn’t need any medication. By the second week, the headaches had stopped entirely. He noticed some tightness post-training but was able to manage it with stretching and regular check-ins.

After six sessions, we shifted to a monthly maintenance schedule and adjusted around his football training and game days. He was back to doing what he loved, pain-free and feeling in control of his health.

So, Why Do Kids Get Headaches?

Headaches in children can have many triggers:

  • Poor posture (especially from screens or sitting for long hours)

  • Muscle tension

  • History of minor head trauma or sports injuries

  • Stress and lifestyle habits

  • Spinal misalignments

How Chiropractic Can Help Children with Headaches

Gentle chiropractic care is a safe, drug-free approach that looks at the root causes of headaches. Here’s how we help:

Spinal adjustments: Light, precise adjustments support healthy nerve function, reduce tension, and correct postural strain.

Posture coaching: We help kids (and parents!) understand how posture impacts the spine—and teach tools to fix it.

Muscle tension release: Through gentle manual therapies, we relieve tight muscles that can trigger tension headaches.

Sleep and ergonomics advice: Small changes in sleep position or how a child sits at school or during screen time can make a big difference.

 

 

Final Thoughts: A Message for Parents

If your child is experiencing frequent headaches, especially after school, sports, or screen time, don’t wait. It might be more than just growing pains or “just tired.”

Chiropractic care can offer relief, clarity, and support without the side effects of medication—helping your child thrive in school, sport, and life.

We love working with young patients and their families to build strong foundations for lifelong health. Just like our 11-year-old footy player, your child could be just a few gentle adjustments away from saying goodbye to headaches.

If you’re curious to learn more or want to book a paediatric consult, get in touch—we’re here to help.

Hi, I’m Dr. Johanna McFadgen, a Chiropractor with a passion for helping families thrive through gentle, holistic care.

Whether it’s supporting your child’s development, helping busy parents move and feel better, or assisting grandparents to stay active, my goal is to deliver chiropractic care that fits your whole family’s needs. Using low-force techniques in a calm, welcoming environment, I’m here to support your family’s journey to long-term health and well-being.

You’ll find me at my clinic in West Gosford, where I’ve loved becoming part of the vibrant Central Coast community.

If you’re looking for natural, supportive care for your family, I’d love to meet you. Book your appointment today, and let’s help your family feel their best at every stage of life.