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Headaches & migraines, anatomical illustration
Conditions we treat

Headache treatment in Christchurch

Headaches can affect every part of your day. Whether they're making it hard to concentrate at work, disrupting your sleep or stopping you enjoying time with family, we'll help you understand what's causing them, what's preventing recovery, and create a personalised plan to help you get back to feeling clear and well.

ACC handled in-house No referral needed Same-day appointments often available

Common headache symptoms

Most people we see with headaches experience two or more of the symptoms below. If they sound familiar, a thorough assessment can help identify what's causing them and the best path to recovery.

The sooner you understand what's causing your headaches, the sooner you can start recovering.

Book a headache consult

What's contributing to your headache?

Headaches are rarely caused by one thing. We'll identify what's contributing to your headaches, what's slowing your recovery and what needs to change to help you recover and reduce the chance of them returning.

  • 01 Muscle tension in the neck, upper back and jaw
  • 02 Joint and muscle tension in the upper neck referring pain to the head
  • 03 Sustained posture: long desk, screen or driving time
  • 04 Jaw clenching or grinding, often stress- or sleep-related
  • 05 Poor sleep, stress and dehydration
  • 06 Migraine triggers such as hormones, certain foods or skipped meals

The sooner you understand what is driving your headache, the sooner you can start recovering.

Book a headache consult

How we treat it

A clear path to recovery

Most headaches can be successfully treated. During your assessment, we'll identify what's contributing to your headaches, what's preventing recovery, and create a personalised plan to help you recover and reduce the chance of them returning.

What we assess

  • Neck and upper-back mobility (especially the upper neck)
  • Jaw movement and clenching patterns
  • Shoulder and breathing-pattern contributors
  • Posture habits, screen and desk setup
  • Headache history, triggers, and timing patterns
01 Relieve

Settle the pain

Hands-on treatment to ease the muscle and joint tension feeding your headaches and help you feel more comfortable.

02 Rebuild

Restore movement and strength

Improve how your neck and upper back move and build strength so they cope better with everyday load.

03 Prevent

Reduce future flare-ups

Address the triggers and habits contributing to your headaches and learn simple strategies to help reduce how often they return.

Meet your care team

Every osteopath at Better Health Osteopathy is registered with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand and follows the same evidence-informed approach to assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. This page is clinically reviewed by Lorraine Herity, Clinic Director & Principal Osteopath.

Experienced osteopaths you can trust

Whoever you see, you will receive the same thorough assessment, hands-on treatment and personalised rehabilitation plan. We work as one team to help you recover as quickly and safely as possible.

  • Over 60,000 consultations
  • Helping Christchurch for over 10 years
  • Registered OCNZ osteopaths
  • ACC accredited
  • Same-day appointments often available

Real stories from Christchurch patients

There is no better measure of our care than the experiences of the people we have helped. Here is what Christchurch patients say about their recovery.

★★★★★
"I started at Better Health Osteopathy 3 weeks ago. Sam, on reception was exceptionally helpful, even calling one of the osteopath's out to answer my questions and putting my mind at ease. Ella, the osteopath assigned to me is amazing. I would totally recommend her and the practice."

Brian and Linda Cousins

★★★★★
"I’ve been seeing Lorraine for several years now and she is nothing short of a miracle worker. No matter what I walk in with - aches, pains or something that just feels “off” - she always knows exactly what to do and somehow gets my body back on track every single time. Beyond her incredible skill and knowledge, Lorraine is an absolute delight. She creates such a warm, welcoming environment and genuinely cares about her clients. You never feel rushed - she takes the time to listen, understand and treat the root of the problem. As both the clinic owner and manager, it’s clear she pours her heart into Better Health Osteopathy and it shows in every aspect of the experience. If you’re looking for someone you can truly trust with your body, Lorraine is the one. I wouldn’t go anywhere else!"

Stewart Wilson

★★★★★
"Such an awesome clinic. Fixed me every time and helps me to feel stronger and healthier as a result. Couldn’t recommend more. They are worth their weight in gold."

Mel Stopford

★★★★★
"Highly recommend. I have been seeing Lorraine at BHO for multiple years now including visits for both of my children as newborns. So handy to now have a second location on Colombo street! Beautiful, clean clinic and the staff are friendly as always. Overall a great experience and well worth it in my opinion."

Georgia Black

What to expect at your first appointment

Our goal is simple: give you answers, explain your options, and help you take the next step towards recovery.

30 minutes

Time to listen, assess and answer your questions.

Bring

Comfortable clothing, any scans, and your ACC details if it is an injury.

You will leave knowing

A clear understanding of what is causing your pain and your personalised recovery plan.

No referral needed

Book directly. We will take care of your ACC claim if needed.

  • What's causing my pain?
  • Why did it happen?
  • Why isn't it getting better?
  • Is anything else contributing?
  • What's the best path to recovery?

We will explain everything in plain English, answer your questions, and make sure you understand your treatment options before moving forward.

New here? See what to expect at your first visit , or see our fees .

Book your visit

Ready to get back to the life you love?

We will help you understand what is causing your pain and create a personalised plan to help you recover.

FAQs about headaches & migraines

What does an osteopath do for headaches?

We assess the neck, upper back, jaw, and posture, then tailor hands-on treatment plus practical strategies to reduce headache frequency and severity.

Can Osteopathy help migraines?

Often yes for the muscular and postural contributors. Migraine is a multifactor condition; osteopathic care can be one helpful part of a wider plan that may include lifestyle factors and medical input where needed.

How long does it take to feel better?

It varies. Many people notice changes in tension and headache frequency within a few sessions. Long-term change often comes from a combination of treatment plus lifestyle and posture habits.

Are headaches in children worth getting checked?

Yes. We commonly see children and teens with study- or sport-related headaches. Treatment is gentle and tailored to age.

Do I need a scan?

Most headaches don't require imaging. If your presentation suggests it would change management, we'll discuss options.

What can I do at home to reduce headaches?

Sleep regularly, hydrate, manage screen time, take movement breaks at the desk, and notice patterns (stress, posture, food triggers). We'll help identify what's driving yours.

What you can do at home right now

Small, safe steps that usually help while you wait for your first appointment.

Hydration and regular meals

Surprisingly common contributors to headache patterns.

Sleep regularity

The biggest single lever for many headache patterns.

Movement breaks at the desk

Every 30-45 minutes, reset the neck and shoulders.

Notice your patterns

Keep a brief log of when headaches happen and what preceded them.

When to seek urgent care

Some signs need same-day attention

These are uncommon, but if any apply, do not wait for an appointment.

Call us now 0800 67 77 00

If symptoms are severe or sudden, seek urgent medical care or call 111.

  • Sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache, especially the worst headache of your life
  • Headache with fever, neck stiffness, confusion, vision changes, or weakness
  • Headache after a head injury that is worsening or persistent
  • New headache pattern in someone over 50, or significantly different from usual headaches
  • Headache with progressive neurological symptoms (numbness, weakness, slurred speech)

Care tailored to people like you

Headaches & migraines shows up differently depending on your life and work. Explore the care built for your situation.