Headache Treatment in Lismore
Headaches that keep coming back usually have a cause that has never been looked for, and often it is in the neck or the jaw. North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre is an osteopathy practice that treats only head, neck and jaw conditions, and since September 2026 we have been consulting in Lismore from Hinterland Osteopathy on Molesworth Street, including Saturday mornings.
Headaches with a cause you can do something about
There are several distinct headache types, and they are treated differently. Cervicogenic headache starts in the upper neck and usually sits on one side. Tension-type headache is steadier and builds through a working day. Migraine brings nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Jaw clenching shows up at the temples or on waking. Post-traumatic headache can follow a knock, a fall or a whiplash injury long after the event. Plenty of people have more than one running at once, and some headaches have causes, like sleep, hormones or daily pain relief, that need a different kind of help. Part of the first appointment is sorting out which you are dealing with.
The practice was founded by Dr Leon Erdrich, an osteopath who has focused his work and his teaching at Southern Cross University on head, neck and jaw conditions, and it treats nothing else. That matters because these problems are easy to miss in a general appointment. Many of the people we see in Lismore have already been to a GP, a physio or a dentist without a clear answer. We work alongside those practitioners, report back to your GP if you would like us to, and tell you plainly if your headaches look like something we cannot help with.
Our headaches page sets out the types we see and how each is approached, including migraine. If jaw pain is part of it, see jaw pain treatment in Lismore.
Signs it is worth getting assessed
- Headaches most weeks, or after most working days
- Pain that starts in the neck or at the base of the skull
- A headache that builds through a day at a desk or behind the wheel
- Waking with a headache or a tight jaw
- Headaches since a car accident, a fall or a knock to the head
- Taking pain relief on more days than not
Sudden severe headache, or headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness or vision changes, is a medical emergency. Call 000.
Where to find us
The Lismore clinic is inside Hinterland Osteopathy on Molesworth Street, a short walk from the courthouse. There is no on-site parking; use Zadoc Street in front of the courthouse or further along Molesworth Street, a two to three minute walk. Let reception know you are here for North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre. Our Ballina clinic runs Monday, Thursday and Friday if those days suit better; appointments, fees and your records are the same at both.
Lismore Clinic
- Hinterland Osteopathy 32 Molesworth Street Lismore NSW 2480
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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.
Ballina Clinic
- Ballina Health Centre 32 Tamar Street Ballina NSW 2478
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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.
Common questions
Is this a general osteopathy clinic?
No. Hinterland Osteopathy, where we consult, is a general practice; we rent rooms there. North Coast Head Neck & Jaw Centre treats only head, neck and jaw conditions, and if your problem is elsewhere we will happily point you to the right person, sometimes down the hall.
Should I see my GP first?
If your headaches are recurring and you have no red flags (sudden severe onset, fever, weakness, vision changes), you can come straight to us. If we find anything that needs a GP or a scan, we will tell you and can write to your GP.
I already take migraine medication. Is there any point?
Often. Neck and jaw tension can lower the threshold for an attack, and reducing them can mean fewer episodes. We work alongside your GP or neurologist’s plan rather than replacing it.
I sit at a desk all day. Could that be causing them?
It is one of the most common patterns we see. Sustained forward head posture loads the upper neck and the muscles beneath the skull, and a headache that builds through the afternoon is the usual result. Both the neck and the habits that load it are part of treatment.
What happens at the first appointment?
An hour. Your headache history, then a hands-on assessment of the neck, the joints at the top of the spine, the muscles around the head and the jaw, explained as we go. Treatment usually starts in the same session.
Will treatment hurt or make the headache worse?
It should not. Techniques are adjusted to you, and a short increase in symptoms after a first treatment is uncommon and settles within a day. If anything feels wrong, say so and we change approach.
Are Saturday appointments available?
Yes. Lismore runs Saturday mornings, which suits people who cannot get away during the week.
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, and a $61.80 Medicare rebate under a GP management plan.
How to book
Book online, choose the Lismore clinic and select an initial consultation. Saturday and weekday times are shown once you do. 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 Molesworth Street in Lismore, with Saturday mornings available. No referral needed. If you would like to talk it through first, get in touch.