Headache Treatment in Ballina
Most recurring headaches have a physical cause, often in the neck or the jaw, that has never been properly assessed. North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre is an osteopathy practice in Ballina that treats only head, neck and jaw conditions, so that assessment is the whole job rather than part of it. Our clinic is on Tamar Street, a block back from the river, with parking at the door.
Why headaches keep coming back
Headaches are a symptom, and behind them there is usually something specific: joints at the top of the neck that have stiffened, muscles beneath the skull that never fully let go, a jaw that clenches through the day or grinds at night, or the legacy of a car accident, a surfing wipeout or a knock to the head. Some headaches have causes, like sleep, hormones or daily pain relief, that need a different kind of help. Working out which of these you are dealing with is what makes treatment specific instead of general.
North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre was founded in Ballina in 2024 by Dr Leon Erdrich, an osteopath who has focused his practice and his teaching at Southern Cross University on head, neck and jaw conditions, and every osteopath at the practice works the same way. Because we treat nothing else, the assessment goes further into the neck and jaw than a general appointment usually can. A lot of the people who come to us have already been to a GP or a physio, or had a scan, without a clear answer. We work with those practitioners rather than instead of them, and if your headaches look like something we cannot help with, we will say so at the first visit.
Our headaches page sets out the types we see and how each is approached, including migraine. If jaw tightness is part of the picture, see jaw pain treatment in Ballina.
What happens at your first appointment
Allow an hour. It starts with a conversation about your headaches: when they began, where you feel them, how often they come, what brings them on and what you have already tried. Then a hands-on assessment of the neck and the small joints at the top of the spine, the muscles beneath the skull and around the temples, the jaw, and posture, explained as we go. From there we tell you what we think is contributing, what we can do about it and how long it is likely to take, and treatment usually starts in the same session. You leave with a plan and something to work on at home.
Where to find us
The Ballina clinic is inside Ballina Health Centre on Tamar Street. Let reception know you are here for North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre. We also have a clinic in Lismore, which runs Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday mornings if the Ballina days do not suit; appointments, fees and your records are the same at both.
Ballina Clinic
- Ballina Health Centre 32 Tamar Street Ballina NSW 2478
-
Mon: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thu: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Fri: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun: Closed - Parking is directly out the front of the clinic.
Lismore Clinic
- Hinterland Osteopathy 32 Molesworth Street Lismore NSW 2480
-
Tue: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Wed: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Thu: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sat: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Mon, Fri, Sun: Closed - Street parking on Zadoc Street or Molesworth Street, a two to three minute walk.
Common questions
Is this different from seeing a general osteopath in Ballina?
Yes, in focus. A general osteopath treats backs, knees and shoulders as well. This practice treats only the head, neck and jaw, which means the assessment of those areas is more detailed and the treatment more specific. If your problem is a sore back, we will point you to someone who does that.
How do I know if my headaches are the kind you treat?
If they recur, start in the neck or behind the eyes, get worse after sitting, driving or screens, or come with jaw clenching or grinding, the neck or jaw is likely involved. If you are not sure, the first appointment is how to find out.
I have migraine. Is osteopathy any use?
Often, as part of the picture. Neck and jaw tension are common migraine triggers, and reducing them can mean fewer attacks. We work alongside your GP or neurologist’s plan, not instead of it.
Could my headaches be coming from my neck?
Very possibly. Cervicogenic headache starts at the base of the skull, usually sits on one side, and changes with neck position. It is one of the most under-diagnosed headache types, and assessing the upper neck is part of every first appointment.
My scans were normal. Does that mean nothing is wrong?
Normal scans are common in people with neck or jaw-driven headaches, because the problem is in how the joints and muscles are working rather than in their structure. That is assessed by hand.
How many appointments will I need?
We will give you a realistic estimate after the first assessment, not a number before we have seen you. Some patterns shift in a few visits; ones built up over years take longer.
Can children and teenagers be seen?
Yes. Headaches in school-age kids often come from posture, screens, jaw clenching or a knock at sport, and the assessment is adapted to their age. A parent or guardian attends.
Do I need a referral, and what does it cost?
No referral. The initial consultation is $170, follow-ups $125. HICAPS for health fund claims on the day, and a $61.80 Medicare rebate under a GP management plan.
How to book
Book online, choose the Ballina clinic and select an initial consultation. New patients pay a 50% deposit at booking. Fees, rebates and what to bring are on our patient information page.
Book an appointment
An hour with an osteopath who treats only head, neck and jaw conditions, on Tamar Street in Ballina. No referral needed. If you would like to talk it through first, get in touch.