Yes — especially for cervicogenic and tension headaches caused by neck dysfunction. Multiple peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews show that chiropractic spinal manipulation provides clinically significant relief for headaches originating in the cervical spine. The American Chiropractic Association and the New Zealand Chiropractic Association both recognise cervicogenic headache as a primary chiropractic condition. At AWC, our chiropractors use a detailed diagnostic process to confirm whether your headaches have a cervical origin before beginning treatment.

Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 4–6 sessions. A typical treatment plan for chronic headaches runs 8–12 weeks — starting with 2–3 visits per week, then tapering to weekly, then monthly maintenance. The exact plan depends on the severity of dysfunction found at your initial assessment, how long you have had the condition, and how your body responds. We reassess at regular intervals and adjust the plan accordingly.

Yes — if your headaches resulted from an accident. Common qualifying events include whiplash from a car accident, a sports collision, a workplace fall, or concussion. ACC covers both chiropractic ($40 per visit) and acupuncture ($0–$20 per visit depending on practitioner). No GP referral is required — we can lodge your ACC claim at your first appointment. If you are unsure whether your headaches qualify, call us on 09 600 1939 and we will advise you before you come in.

Cervicogenic headaches originate from dysfunction in the cervical spine — misaligned vertebrae, restricted joints, or tight muscles refer pain upward into the head. They are typically one-sided, non-throbbing, and associated with neck stiffness or restricted movement. Migraines are a primary neurological condition characterised by moderate to severe throbbing pain, nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and sometimes visual aura. They last 4–72 hours. Importantly, both conditions respond well to our integrated chiropractic and acupuncture treatment — and the two conditions can coexist, which is why accurate diagnosis at assessment is so important.

Yes. Research published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews demonstrates that acupuncture is at least as effective as prophylactic (preventive) medication for migraine — with significantly fewer side effects. Acupuncture reduces migraine frequency, decreases pain intensity, and improves quality of life. Dr. Robin Won's Sa-am acupuncture technique specifically targets the constitutional headache patterns identified in traditional Korean medicine — an approach that addresses both the acute pain and the underlying systemic imbalance that drives recurrent migraines.