Quick Answer

If you’re wondering what causes headaches and migraines, there isn’t one answer that applies to everyone. Several factors may contribute, including stress, poor sleep, dehydration, nutrition, muscle tension, posture, previous injuries, medications, and problems involving the neck.

Migraines, however, are more complex and involve neurological processes that can vary significantly from person to person. Therefore, understanding your history, symptoms, triggers, and physical findings can provide important clues about what may be contributing.

At Chandler Chiropractic, we look beyond the location of the pain because headaches don’t always tell the whole story. Instead, we want to understand the bigger picture and determine whether chiropractic care, another type of care, or further evaluation may be appropriate.

headaches and stressThe Complete Answer

What causes headaches and migraines? It’s one of the most common questions we hear from patients, especially those who have dealt with recurring headaches for months or even years.

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always simple because two people can experience similar headaches for very different reasons. Their triggers, health histories, symptoms, lifestyles, and examination findings may all differ.

That’s why we often say:

Every headache has a story.

Common Factors That May Contribute to Headaches

When exploring what causes headaches and migraines, it helps to consider the many factors that can influence how you feel.

These may include:

  • Stress
  • Poor or inconsistent sleep
  • Dehydration
  • Skipping meals
  • Certain foods or dietary changes
  • Medications
  • Hormonal changes
  • Muscle tension
  • Posture
  • Prolonged computer or phone use
  • Previous injuries
  • Neck pain or stiffness
  • Jaw tension
  • Changes in activity or exercise

For some people, one factor clearly stands out. For others, several factors may overlap and gradually contribute to a recurring pattern.

Because of this, identifying when headaches occur, what happens beforehand, and what makes them better or worse can provide useful information.

Can Your Neck Cause Headaches?

Certain headaches can originate from structures in the neck. These are commonly called cervicogenic headaches.

Your neck contains joints, muscles, nerves, and other structures that work together to support healthy movement and function. When problems develop in this area, some people may experience headaches along with neck pain, stiffness, or restricted movement.

For example, you may also notice:

  • Limited neck movement
  • Shoulder tightness
  • Muscle tension
  • Pain that begins around the neck or base of the skull
  • Symptoms that change with certain neck movements or positions

However, not every headache comes from the neck, and that distinction matters. Therefore, a thorough history and examination can help determine whether neck dysfunction or other musculoskeletal factors may be contributing.

What About Tension Headaches?

Tension-type headaches are among the most common headache disorders. People often describe them as pressure or tightness around the head, while neck and shoulder muscle tension may occur at the same time.

In addition, stress, prolonged sitting, computer work, poor sleep, and other daily demands may contribute to the overall picture. Instead of focusing only on where the headache hurts, it can be helpful to consider what was happening before the symptoms began.

Over time, those patterns may provide important clues about possible triggers and contributing factors.

Migraines Are More Complex

Migraines are more than simply “bad headaches.” Instead, migraine is a neurological disorder that can produce headache pain along with a variety of other symptoms.

Depending on the person, those symptoms may include:

  • Nausea
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Sensitivity to sound
  • Visual changes
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Neck discomfort

Migraine triggers can also vary considerably. For example, stress, changes in sleep, hormones, certain foods, dehydration, environmental factors, and other influences may play a role.

At the same time, some people with migraines also experience neck pain, stiffness, muscle tension, posture concerns, or problems related to previous injuries. However, that doesn’t mean the neck causes every migraine. Rather, it means those factors may deserve consideration as part of a more complete evaluation.

Previous Injuries May Matter

Previous injuries are another important part of the conversation. For that reason, we ask patients about car accidents, sports injuries, falls, concussions, and other physical trauma that may have occurred before their headaches began.

These events may affect how the neck and surrounding muscles move and function. Sometimes the connection between an injury and recurring symptoms is obvious, while in other cases, patients may not immediately connect an older injury with what they’re experiencing today.

That’s why your history matters. We want to understand what happened before your headaches began, not simply what hurts today.

Posture and Technology Can Add Physical Stress

Phones, tablets, computers, driving, studying, and prolonged sitting have become a normal part of everyday life. However, these activities can also require us to hold our heads and necks in relatively fixed positions for extended periods.

As a result, muscles may become fatigued, joints may feel stiff, and normal movement may become more difficult. These physical demands can become especially noticeable when screen time continues for hours without regular movement or position changes.

Of course, posture alone doesn’t explain every headache. Still, when recurring headaches occur alongside neck pain, stiffness, or significant screen time, posture and ergonomics are worth considering.

Sleep, Stress, Hydration, and Nutrition Matter Too

Your spine isn’t the only thing we consider because your body responds to many different influences throughout the day.

For example, sleep affects recovery, while hydration and nutrition support normal body function. Stress may also influence muscle tension and sleep quality. Likewise, changes in exercise, work demands, and daily activity may affect how you feel.

For these reasons, we look at the whole person rather than isolating one symptom. What initially appears to be one problem may actually involve several contributing factors.

Why a Thorough Evaluation Matters

A website can explain possible causes of headaches, but it cannot tell you exactly why you are experiencing them. That requires a more individualized conversation and, when appropriate, a thorough examination.

We want to know:

  • When did your headaches begin?
  • How often do they occur?
  • Where do you feel them?
  • How long do they last?
  • What seems to trigger them?
  • Do you have neck pain or stiffness?
  • Have you experienced previous injuries?
  • How do you sleep?
  • What is your stress level?
  • How much time do you spend at a computer or phone?
  • What have you already tried?
  • What makes the headaches better or worse?

Together, those answers help guide the examination and give us a better understanding of your individual situation.

When appropriate, we may evaluate posture, neck movement, muscle function, spinal movement, and orthopedic or neurological findings. In addition, if digital X-rays are clinically appropriate, they may provide useful information about spinal structure, previous changes, or injuries.

Once we gather the appropriate information, we can begin putting the pieces together.

When Chiropractic Care May Fit

If your examination identifies neck dysfunction, limited spinal movement, muscle tension, posture concerns, or other musculoskeletal factors, chiropractic care may become part of your plan.

Depending on your findings, we may also recommend massage therapy, physical therapy, corrective exercise, ergonomic changes, or another appropriate approach. In some situations, however, another healthcare provider or additional testing should come first.

If that’s the case, we’ll explain why and help you understand the appropriate next step.

When Headaches Need Medical Attention

Although many headaches are not medical emergencies, some symptoms require prompt evaluation.

Seek immediate medical care for a sudden, severe headache unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Likewise, a headache accompanied by sudden weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, confusion, loss of consciousness, significant vision changes, or other signs of a medical emergency requires immediate attention.

Additionally, if your headache pattern changes significantly from what you normally experience, appropriate medical evaluation is important.

What This Means for You

Recurring headaches and migraines can have many possible causes and contributing factors. Therefore, instead of assuming every headache is the same, start by paying attention to your individual patterns.

Consider when your headaches began, what tends to trigger them, what other symptoms occur, and what makes them better or worse. Those details can provide valuable information.

Then, if headaches continue to return or interfere with your daily life, consider getting evaluated. Understanding what may be contributing is an important first step toward making an informed decision about what to do next.

Our Perspective at Chandler Chiropractic

After more than 22 years of caring for patients, we’ve learned that every headache has a story. That’s why we don’t begin with an adjustment. Instead, we begin by listening to you and learning about your history.

Next, we examine how your body is functioning and, when clinically appropriate, use digital X-rays to gather additional information. Once we have the information we need, we explain what we find and discuss the next steps.

If chiropractic care is appropriate, we’ll explain why and how it may fit into your recommendations. On the other hand, if another provider or additional testing should become part of the process, we’ll explain that as well.

Ultimately, our responsibility is to help you better understand what may be contributing to your headaches so you can make informed decisions about your health.

Still Have Questions?

If recurring headaches or migraines interfere with work, sleep, exercise, travel, family time, or the activities you enjoy, a comprehensive evaluation may help provide answers.

Contact Chandler Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation at our Chandler or Scottsdale location.

Lasting Results for All Stages of Life.

Reviewed by Dr. Mike Schloemp, DC
September 2026

Dr. Mike Schloemp is the founder of Chandler Chiropractic and has served individuals and families throughout Chandler and the East Valley for more than 22 years. His clinical focus includes family chiropractic, sports injuries, headaches and migraines, pediatric care, pregnancy care, and personal injury.

Related Topics — Continue Learning