Ask Dr. Anne-Marie
Why does my child complain about headaches?
Short answer
Childhood headaches are common and have many possible causes, including sleep debt, dehydration, screen and posture load, vision problems, stress, and neck tension. Frequent or worsening headaches — and any headache with red-flag features — should be assessed by your child's doctor.
The questions I ask first
- When in the day do they happen, and how often?
- How much sleep is your child actually getting?
- How much water do they drink at school?
- How many hours are spent on screens, and in what position?
- When was their vision last checked?
- What is happening socially or academically at the moment?
My perspective
A surprising proportion of childhood headaches trace back to load and recovery: not enough sleep, not enough water, too much sustained postural strain, not enough down-regulation. That is not a dismissal — it is often genuinely where the answer lives.
Where neck tension and posture are contributing, chiropractic care may help with comfort and movement. But headaches in children should always be assessed properly first.
When to seek medical care
Seek medical care urgently for a sudden severe headache, headache with fever and stiff neck, headache after a head injury, headaches that wake a child from sleep, vomiting, vision changes, or any neurological symptoms.
Content on this website is educational and informational in nature and is not intended as a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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Dr. Anne-Marie is the lead chiropractor at Compass Family Chiropractic in Dunwoody, Georgia, serving families across metro Atlanta.