Chiropractic · Tension Type Headache Adelaide · Marion Road

Tension-Type Headache Chiropractor Adelaide

⭐ 81+ Google Reviews 🏥 Est. 1972 💳 All Major Health Funds ⏰ 7am to 7pm Weekdays 🅿 Free Parking Tension-type headache is a common primary headache with bilateral, pressing or tightening pain of mild to moderate intensity , no nausea, and at most one of light or sound sensitivity. It is not worsened by routine activity and is classified by ICHD-3 as episodic infrequent, episodic frequent, or chronic. Symptoms Assessment Evidence How We Help Why Stapleton First Visit Fees Book Does this sound familiar? Common tension-type headache patterns we hear. Tap a card for a plain-English explanation. No lock-in plans. The decision is always yours.

(08) 8297 5277
$69 initial $60 standard No lock-in plans All major health funds accepted Weekdays 7am-7pm · Sat morning

528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038 · Est. 1972 · Free on-site parking

Primary contact practitioner Hands-on and gentle low-force options Honest fit assessment first Book online or call

About this concern

General information only. Your plan is confirmed after assessment. Individual responses vary.

⭐ 81+ Google Reviews 🏥 Est. 1972 💳 All Major Health Funds ⏰ 7am to 7pm Weekdays 🅿 Free Parking Tension-type headache is a common primary headache with bilateral, pressing or tightening pain of mild to moderate intensity , no nausea, and at most one of light or sound sensitivity.

It is not worsened by routine activity and is classified by ICHD-3 as episodic infrequent, episodic frequent, or chronic. Symptoms Assessment Evidence How We Help Why Stapleton First Visit Fees Book Does this sound familiar?

Common tension-type headache patterns we hear. Tap a card for a plain-English explanation.

Tension-type headache is typically bilateral, pressing or tightening rather than pulsating, mild to moderate in intensity, and is not aggravated by routine physical activity. Pericranial muscle tenderness on manual palpation is the most consistent clinical finding.

Tension-type headache can look similar to migraine or cervicogenic headache at first glance, but the pattern of laterality, quality, and aggravating factors usually tells them apart.

Sources: Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. ICHD-3, Cephalalgia 2018. Bendtsen L. Central sensitization in tension-type headache. Cephalalgia 2000. Ashina et al. Tension-type headache. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2021.

This page is general information only and is not a personal diagnosis or treatment plan. Care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.

Does this sound familiar?

Common tension-type headache patterns we hear. Tap a card for a plain-English explanation.

Individual responses vary. Assessment confirms whether care is appropriate for you.

What Tension-Type Headache Looks Like

Tension-type headache is typically bilateral, pressing or tightening rather than pulsating, mild to moderate in intensity, and is not aggravated by routine physical activity. Pericranial muscle tenderness on manual palpation is the most consistent clinical finding.

Individual responses vary. Assessment confirms whether care is appropriate for you.

How It Differs from Migraine and Cervicogenic Headache

Tension-type headache can look similar to migraine or cervicogenic headache at first glance, but the pattern of laterality, quality, and aggravating factors usually tells them apart.

Sources: Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. ICHD-3, Cephalalgia 2018. Bendtsen L. Central sensitization in tension-type headache. Cephalalgia 2000. Ashina et al. Tension-type headache. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2021.

Individual responses vary. Assessment confirms whether care is appropriate for you.

Common questions

These answers are general information. Your plan is confirmed after assessment. Individual responses vary.

What is a tension-type headache?

A tension-type headache is a common primary headache, as classified by ICHD-3 section 2, with bilateral, pressing or tightening pain of mild to moderate intensity, no nausea, and at most one of light or sound sensitivity.

It is not usually aggravated by routine physical activity and can be episodic or chronic.

How does tension-type headache differ from migraine?

Migraine tends to be unilateral, pulsating, moderate-to-severe, aggravated by routine activity, and often associated with nausea and both light and sound sensitivity.

Tension-type headache is typically bilateral, pressing rather than throbbing, milder, not aggravated by activity, and without nausea.

How is tension-type headache different from cervicogenic headache?

Cervicogenic headache is typically side-locked, reproduced by neck movement or sustained posture, and linked to cervical joint findings. Tension-type headache is bilateral and more diffuse, with pericranial muscle tenderness being the most common clinical feature.

Can chiropractic care help with tension-type headaches?

Research suggests that manual therapy, including soft tissue techniques and gentle adjustment, may help selected adults reduce the frequency and intensity of tension-type headache when combined with posture and stress-management guidance.

Evidence is moderate, individual responses vary.

What role do stress and posture play?

Both may contribute. Sustained desk postures, jaw clenching, shoulder bracing, poor sleep, and stress can increase pericranial muscle load and may lower the threshold for headaches.

A plan that addresses the physical layer alongside posture and stress habits is often more useful than addressing any single factor alone.

What happens at a first visit?

Your first visit includes a conversation about your headache pattern, red-flag screening, and a physical assessment. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will discuss findings, explain options, and only proceed with care if it is a reasonable fit.

The initial consultation is 69 dollars.

What does it cost and do you accept my health fund?

The initial consultation is 69 dollars and a standard consultation is 60 dollars. All major health funds are accepted. Progress is reviewed at each visit and there are no lock-in plans.

When should I see a GP instead of a chiropractor?

Please see your GP or seek urgent medical care for sudden severe headache, new neurological symptoms, fever with neck stiffness, recent head trauma, a new headache pattern after 50, or a progressively worsening headache.

Chronic daily tension-type headache also warrants GP review to exclude medication-overuse headache.

This page is general information only and is not a personal diagnosis or treatment plan.

Book your first visit

Open the diary and pick a time that suits. No referral needed. No lock-in plans.

Your first visit
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)

Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)

B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq) · AHPRA registered

$69

Initial consultation

Choose a time that works for you

  • $69 first visit
  • Weekdays 7am-7pm
  • Saturday mornings
  • Free parking
  • All major health funds
  • No lock-in plans

Prefer to call? (08) 8297 5277

All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary. The decision is always yours.

Last clinically reviewed: 22 April 2026 by Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)

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Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor), B.Chiro.Sc (Macq), M.Chiro (Macq), is the Principal Chiropractor and Clinic Director at Stapleton Chiropractic in Plympton Park, Adelaide. He provides evidence-informed chiropractic care with a focus on musculoskeletal health, spinal movement, and functional improvement. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) works with adults, older adults, and families across all stages of life, supporting concerns such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and postural issues. He is committed to clear communication, personalised care planning, and long-term patient outcomes.