Headaches & Migraines
Tension, cervicogenic, and migraine headaches driven by the neck, jaw, or nervous system.
Headache disorders are among the most common nervous system conditions worldwide (WHO Global Burden of Disease). The three subtypes we see most often are tension-type headache (pressure, band-like, bilateral), cervicogenic headache (referred from upper cervical joints and suboccipital muscles), and migraine (often unilateral, throbbing, with associated nausea or sensory sensitivity). Many patients have a mixed picture, with mechanical neck dysfunction acting as a trigger or amplifier of true migraine activity.
Tension-type and cervicogenic headaches commonly present with pain at the base of the skull or behind the eyes, a sensation of pressure or a tight band around the head, restricted neck rotation, and reproduction of symptoms when the upper cervical joints are palpated. Migraines often add throbbing pain, light or sound sensitivity, nausea, and visual aura. Headaches that consistently follow neck movement, prolonged screen time, or sleeping positions point strongly toward a cervicogenic driver.
Headaches disproportionately affect adults between 20 and 50, and women are 2–3× more likely than men to experience migraines. High-risk groups include desk workers and students with significant screen exposure, those who clench or grind their teeth, post-concussion and whiplash patients, and individuals with high stress loads or poor sleep.
A combined, root-cause approach.
A 2019 systematic review in Cephalalgia and JMPT studies demonstrate that cervical manipulation, mobilization, and trigger point therapy significantly reduce both the frequency and intensity of cervicogenic headaches and chronic tension-type headaches, with effects comparable to commonly used preventive medications and minimal side effects. We mobilize the upper cervical segments, release the suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles with ART and dry needling, address jaw and breathing patterns when relevant, and coach the postural and ergonomic changes that prevent recurrence.
- Upper cervical adjustments
- Suboccipital release
- Dry needling
- Posture and breathing retraining