Home » Migraines Explained: Causes, Symptoms & Conservative Care

If migraine or neck-related symptoms are affecting your daily life, you can learn more about our approach on our migraine treatment page.

Migraines can significantly affect daily life for many people in Townsville and North Queensland. They involve complex interactions between the brain, nerves and blood vessels, which helps explain why symptoms vary so much between individuals.

Migraine is classified as a primary headache disorder, meaning it is not usually caused by another underlying disease. However, it may coexist with neck pain, posture strain, cervicogenic headache features or other conditions.

Migraines may occur with or without head pain and are often influenced by factors such as stress, disrupted sleep, hormonal changes, posture, neck function and overall nervous system sensitivity.

Understanding the difference between migraines and other headache types — and how evidence-based medical care and conservative options such as chiropractic care may support migraine management — can help you make better decisions about your health care.

Related: Headaches: types, causes, and when to seek care

What Is a Migraine?

A migraine is a neurological disorder characterised by recurring episodes of moderate to severe head pain, usually accompanied by symptoms involving the nervous system. Unlike tension-type headaches, migraines involve altered processing within the brain’s pain pathways, making the nervous system more sensitive to internal and external stimuli.

Migraine attacks typically last between 4 and 72 hours, although this can vary. The frequency, severity, and pattern of migraines differ widely between individuals and may change over time.

Helpful Migraine and Headache Guides

• Chiropractic care for migraines — what we assess and how we approach care
• Cervicogenic headache — neck-related headache explained
• Headache types and causes — tension, cervicogenic and migraine compared
• Neck pain and neck stiffness — causes and assessment

Common Migraine Symptoms

Migraine symptoms can extend beyond head pain and vary widely between individuals. Common migraine features include:

• Throbbing or pulsating head pain
• Pain on one side of the head (though both sides may be affected)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Visual disturbances
• Dizziness or balance changes
• Fatigue and difficulty concentrating (brain fog)
• Neck stiffness or neck pain

Neck pain and stiffness are common in migraine. In some people these symptoms are part of the migraine process itself, including the prodrome phase before the headache fully develops. In others, separate neck dysfunction or postural strain may also be contributing — which is why careful assessment matters.

The Four Stages of a Migraine

Migraines can develop in stages, although not everyone experiences every stage. Some people notice warning signs hours or even days before head pain begins, while others may develop symptoms more suddenly.

Understanding these stages can help people recognise early warning signs, track patterns, and seek appropriate care when symptoms change.

1. Prodrome

The prodrome is the early warning phase of a migraine. It can begin hours or days before the headache phase.

Common prodrome symptoms may include:

• yawning
• mood changes
• food cravings
• neck stiffness
• fatigue
• increased sensitivity to light or sound
• difficulty concentrating

Neck stiffness during this stage is common and does not always mean the neck is the primary cause of the migraine. In some people, it may be part of the migraine process itself.

2. Aura

Aura refers to temporary neurological symptoms that may occur before or during a migraine. Not all migraines involve aura.

Aura symptoms may include:

• flashing lights or zig-zag lines
• blind spots or blurred vision
• tingling or numbness
• temporary speech or word-finding difficulty

Aura symptoms usually develop gradually and resolve fully. New, unusual, prolonged, or severe neurological symptoms should always be medically assessed.

3. Attack

The attack phase is the main migraine episode. This is when headache pain and associated symptoms are usually most noticeable.

Symptoms may include:

• throbbing or pulsating head pain
• nausea or vomiting
• sensitivity to light, sound or smells
• dizziness
• fatigue
• worsening symptoms with movement or activity

This phase may last several hours and, in some cases, up to several days.

4. Postdrome

The postdrome is the recovery phase after the main migraine attack settles. Some people describe this stage as feeling “washed out” or “hungover.”

Postdrome symptoms may include:

• fatigue
• brain fog
• neck or body soreness
• mood changes
• reduced concentration
• sensitivity to light or sound

Recognising the postdrome phase can help explain why people may still feel unwell even after the headache has improved.

Migraine With Aura vs Migraine Without Aura

Migraines can present in different ways. One of the key distinctions is whether a person experiences an aura before or during a migraine episode. Understanding this difference helps explain why migraine symptoms can vary so widely between individuals.

Migraine With Aura

Migraine with aura involves temporary neurological symptoms that usually occur before the headache phase, although they can sometimes occur during or after the headache.

Aura symptoms are caused by temporary changes in how the brain processes sensory information. They do not indicate permanent brain damage and usually resolve fully.

Common aura symptoms may include:

• Flashing lights, shimmering lines, or zig-zag patterns
• Blind spots or blurred vision
• Visual distortion (objects appearing larger, smaller, or wavy)
• Tingling or numbness in the face, lips, hands, or arms
• Temporary difficulty with speech or word-finding

Aura symptoms typically develop gradually over several minutes, last between 5 and 60 minutes, and then resolve completely. The headache phase may follow immediately, be delayed, or in some cases be mild or absent.

Healthdirect Australia: Headaches, including diaries and tracking

Migraine Without Aura

Migraine without aura is the most common form of migraine. In this type, the headache and associated symptoms occur without any preceding visual or sensory warning signs.

Symptoms usually begin directly with head pain and may include:

• Moderate to severe throbbing or pulsating head pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells
• Fatigue or difficulty concentrating

Because there is no early warning phase, migraine without aura can feel more sudden and unpredictable. Attacks may still follow a recognisable pattern over time, but the absence of aura means there is often less opportunity to anticipate an episode.

Key Differences and Important Notes

Both migraine with aura and migraine without aura are part of the same migraine spectrum. The presence or absence of aura helps explain why:

• Some people experience visual or sensory changes before pain begins
• Others experience head pain without warning
• Migraine symptoms can change over a person’s lifetime

It is also possible for the same person to experience both types of migraine at different times.

Important: New, unusual, or worsening neurological symptoms — especially weakness, confusion, or prolonged vision loss — should always be medically assessed to rule out other causes.

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Headache type	Key features	Relationship to neck
Migraine	Neurological in origin. Moderate to severe, often throbbing, commonly with nausea and light or sound sensitivity. Often worse with activity.	Neck pain or stiffness may occur as part of the migraine process. In some people separate cervical factors may also add to the overall burden.
Tension-type headache	Tight, pressing or band-like pain, usually both sides. Mild to moderate. Not typically associated with nausea or visual symptoms.	Often associated with neck and shoulder tension and may respond to conservative care.
Cervicogenic headache	Headache arising from the neck joints, muscles or nerves. Pain often begins at the base of the skull and radiates forward, commonly with reduced neck movement.	Directly related to cervical structures and may respond to appropriate conservative neck assessment and treatment.
Cluster headache	Very severe one-sided pain, often around one eye, with repeated short attacks in clusters.	Not primarily cervicogenic. Medical management is central.

Because symptoms can overlap, careful assessment is essential before treatment is considered. A migraine should not be labelled as cervicogenic headache simply because neck pain is present.

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The Trigeminal Nerve and Blood Vessels: Why Migraines Throb

The trigeminal nerve is the main sensory nerve of the face and head. It carries sensation from the face, scalp, and the tissues surrounding the brain to pain-processing centres within the brain.

During a migraine episode, the trigeminal nerve becomes sensitised. This activation leads to the release of chemical messengers that affect nearby blood vessels in the coverings of the brain (the meninges). These blood vessels become more reactive, and pain signals are amplified and transmitted to the brain.

This interaction between the trigeminal nerve and blood vessels helps explain why migraine pain often feels throbbing or pulsating, why movement or activity can worsen symptoms, and why nausea and sensory sensitivity commonly occur.

Migraines are not simply a blood vessel problem or a nerve problem alone. They are now understood as a condition involving brain–nerve–blood vessel interaction.

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Migraine-Associated Disorder: A Broader Understanding

Migraine is increasingly recognised as a spectrum condition. Terms such as migraine-associated disorder or migraine spectrum disorder reflect the understanding that migraine activity can affect the nervous system even when head pain is minimal or absent.

Because the trigeminal nerve connects with multiple brain regions, migraine activity may produce symptoms such as:

• Dizziness or vertigo (vestibular migraine)
• Light or sound sensitivity without headache
• Visual disturbances without head pain
• Neck pain or stiffness linked to migraine episodes
• Nausea without gastrointestinal illness
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

This broader understanding supports a more individualised management approach rather than focusing only on pain relief.

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Known Causes and Triggers of Migraines

Migraines are considered multifactorial. No single cause applies to everyone.

• Stress or emotional overload
• Poor or irregular sleep
• Hormonal changes
• Dehydration or skipped meals
• Certain foods or additives
• Bright lights or loud noise
• Weather or barometric pressure changes
• Prolonged screen use
• Neck strain or poor posture
• Alcohol
• Caffeine excess or withdrawal

Many people find it useful to track symptoms and triggers over time using a diary or tracker. Healthdirect also recommends headache diaries as part of diagnosis and management planning.

Healthdirect Australia: Headaches (including diaries and tracking)

Triggers do not fully explain migraine. In many people they are better understood as factors that increase the likelihood of an attack in an already sensitised nervous system. Some apparent “triggers” may actually be early warning symptoms of an attack that has already started.

The Role of Neck Function and Posture

The upper cervical spine has close neurological connections with the brainstem and the trigeminal nerve system. Reduced movement, muscle tension, or sustained postural strain may increase sensory input into this system, potentially aggravating migraine symptoms in some individuals.

This does not mean neck problems cause migraines. Rather, they may act as contributing or perpetuating factors within an already sensitive nervous system. For more specific information, see our guide to neck pain and stiffness.

Neck symptoms are common in migraine and are often part of the migraine attack itself rather than proof that the neck is the primary cause. For some people — especially those with neck stiffness, reduced neck movement, posture-related aggravation, or overlapping cervicogenic features — a chiropractic assessment may help determine whether there is a treatable cervical contribution. For others, there may be little or no meaningful cervical contribution, and medical management remains the main focus.

When Migraine Symptoms Need Urgent Medical Review

Seek immediate medical assessment if headaches are:

• Sudden and severe (“worst headache of your life”)
• Associated with fever, confusion, weakness, or speech difficulty
• Following trauma or injury
• Progressively worsening without explanation
• Accompanied by new neurological symptoms such as motor weakness
• Associated with a new severe headache during pregnancy or soon after childbirth
• Aura symptoms lasting longer than 1 hour

Further guidance: Headache Australia — migraine symptoms and warning signs | Healthdirect Australia — migraine

How Chiropractic Care May Support Migraine Management

Evidence-based chiropractic care does not cure migraines and does not replace medical treatment. Migraines are a neurological condition involving the brain, nerves, and blood vessels. However, for some people, conservative chiropractic care may help reduce migraine frequency, intensity, or overall impact — particularly when neck pain, posture issues, or cervicogenic headache features are present.

Careful Assessment of Spinal Function

Chiropractic care begins with a thorough assessment, including a detailed health history, evaluation of neck movement and posture, assessment of joint mobility and muscle tension, and neurological screening. This process helps determine whether mechanical or movement-related factors may be increasing sensory input into the nervous system.

If symptoms suggest a need for medical investigation, referral to a GP or specialist occurs before any manual care is considered.

Understanding the Spine–Nervous System Relationship

The upper cervical spine has close connections with the brainstem and trigeminal nerve pathways involved in migraine pain processing. When joints are restricted or muscles are persistently tense, sensory input from the neck may increase and contribute to overall nervous system sensitivity.

Chiropractic care does not aim to treat the trigeminal nerve directly. Instead, it focuses on reducing unnecessary mechanical input from the spine that may aggravate an already sensitised system.

Improving Movement and Reducing Mechanical Stress

Treatment focuses on restoring normal joint movement, reducing muscle tension, and improving overall spinal function. This may include gentle spinal adjustments, low-force techniques, and soft tissue approaches, selected based on the individual.

Addressing Posture and Daily Strain

Care often includes education around posture, workstation ergonomics, movement habits, and exercises where appropriate. Improving how the body moves and adapts to daily load does not treat migraine directly but may help reduce ongoing physical stress that worsens symptoms.

Ongoing Reassessment and Safety-First Care

Response to care is monitored closely. Treatment plans are adjusted based on progress and may be reduced or stopped if benefit is not observed. Chiropractic care is delivered conservatively and guided by patient safety.

For full details of our assessment and care approach: Chiropractic care for migraines →

Considering Chiropractic Care for Your Migraines?

If neck function, posture, or cervicogenic features seem to be part of your migraine pattern, a chiropractic assessment can help clarify whether conservative care may be appropriate for you. Learn more about our assessment-first approach on our migraine treatment page, or book an appointment directly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I still see my GP if I have migraines?

Yes. Migraine is a neurological condition and medical diagnosis and management remain important. Conservative care, where relevant, should complement rather than replace appropriate medical care.

Can a chiropractor treat migraines?

Chiropractic care does not cure migraines and does not replace medical treatment. For some people, conservative care may help reduce the overall burden when neck dysfunction, posture, or cervicogenic overlap is contributing. Assessment comes first.

How do I know if my headaches are migraines or something else?

Migraine often involves recurring moderate-to-severe headache with features such as nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, and sometimes aura. Tension headache and cervicogenic headache have different patterns. Because symptoms can overlap, formal assessment is important.

What is the difference between migraine with and without aura?

Migraine with aura includes temporary neurological symptoms — commonly visual, sensory, or speech and language disturbances — that occur before or during the attack. Migraine without aura begins directly with head pain and associated symptoms. Motor weakness is not part of typical aura and needs specific medical assessment if present.

Can neck posture or strain contribute to migraines?

For some people, yes. Neck dysfunction, postural strain, or cervicogenic overlap may add to the overall burden. But neck pain can also be part of the migraine process itself, so it should not be assumed to be the sole cause.

What triggers a migraine attack?

Triggers vary between individuals and may include stress, poor sleep, dehydration, hormonal change, bright lights, weather changes, alcohol, caffeine, and prolonged screen use. Some experiences that seem like triggers may actually be early migraine warning symptoms.

What is the trigeminal nerve’s role in migraine?

The trigeminal nerve is the main sensory nerve of the face and head. During a migraine it becomes sensitised and activates nearby blood vessels in the brain’s coverings, amplifying pain signals. This is why migraine pain often throbs and why movement, light, and sound worsen symptoms.

Can migraine cause neck pain before the headache starts?

Yes. Neck pain or stiffness can occur in the prodrome phase before head pain begins, which is one reason migraine is sometimes mistaken for a primary neck problem.

Related Headache and Neck Pain Guides

You may also find these related Townsville chiropractic guides helpful:

• Headache Types, Causes and Treatment Guide
• Chiropractic Care for Migraines
• Cervicogenic Headache
• Neck Pain Treatment Townsville
• Headache Red Flags
• Your First Visit
• How Chiropractic Works

Next Step

If you’d like a clinical assessment to clarify whether neck function or cervicogenic features may be contributing to symptom aggravation, you can read about our approach here:

Chiropractic care for migraines (assessment-first approach)

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Conclusion

Migraines are complex neurological conditions that extend beyond head pain, involving interactions between the brain, trigeminal nerve, and blood vessels. While medication remains an important part of migraine management, addressing posture, neck function, and movement may provide additional support for some people.

When used appropriately and alongside medical care, conservative chiropractic care may help improve comfort, day-to-day function, and overall quality of life for selected individuals experiencing migraines.

Ready to take the next step?