Headache Treatment
Recurring headaches are rarely just a head problem. We evaluate the cervical spine, posture, and surrounding musculature to find what is actually driving your symptoms and build a care plan that addresses the cause rather than masking it.
Full cervical spine evaluation
The cause, not the symptom
The Basics
Not all headaches are the same, and understanding the type you are experiencing is the first step toward finding lasting relief. Tension headaches are the most common type, typically producing a dull, pressing sensation around the head and temples that is often triggered by stress, poor posture, or prolonged screen time. Cervicogenic headaches originate directly from dysfunction in the cervical spine and surrounding musculature, producing pain that typically starts at the base of the skull and radiates forward. Migraines involve more complex neurological changes but are frequently triggered or worsened by cervical spine tension and muscle tightness in the neck and upper back.
What most headache sufferers do not realize is that the cervical spine plays a significant role in the majority of recurring headaches. The nerves, muscles, and joints of the upper neck share connections with the trigeminal nerve system that processes pain signals in the head and face. When the cervical spine is restricted, the surrounding muscles are tight, or posture places chronic strain on the upper neck, these shared pathways can produce headache pain that feels like it originates in the head but is actually driven by mechanical stress in the neck. This is why many patients manage headaches with pain medication for years without ever experiencing lasting relief.
Headaches affect people of all ages and backgrounds but are particularly common among office workers, students, individuals under high stress, and those with a history of neck injury or poor posture. Many patients have normalized recurring headaches as simply part of their life, managing symptoms with over the counter medication without realizing that the underlying cause is addressable. Left unaddressed, the mechanical patterns driving cervicogenic and tension headaches tend to worsen over time, increasing both the frequency and intensity of symptoms.
What We Treat
Different types of headaches present differently and respond to different treatment approaches. Here are the most common types we evaluate and treat at Salt Family Chiropractic:
Tension headaches — dull, pressing pain around the head and temples, often triggered by stress, poor posture, or prolonged screen time
Cervicogenic headaches — pain that originates at the base of the skull and radiates forward, often with neck stiffness or restricted range of motion
Migraine headaches — moderate to severe throbbing pain often on one side of the head, sometimes with nausea, light sensitivity, or visual disturbances
Occipital neuralgia — sharp, shooting, or electric pain that travels from the base of the skull up through the scalp, from irritation of the occipital nerves
Cluster headaches — intense, piercing pain typically around one eye that occurs in recurring clusters, often with eye redness or tearing
Postural headaches — headaches that develop or worsen with prolonged sitting, screen use, or forward head posture and improve with movement
Post traumatic headaches — headaches that develop following a head or neck injury such as whiplash or concussion, often linked to cervical spine dysfunction
Our Approach
At Salt Family Chiropractic, every headache patient begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the cervical spine, surrounding musculature, and posture patterns to identify the mechanical factors contributing to their symptoms. We assess joint mobility, muscle tension, nerve function, and postural alignment to build a complete picture of what is driving the headaches before recommending any treatment. We also screen for red flags that may indicate a more serious underlying cause requiring medical referral, ensuring that every patient receives the most appropriate level of care for their specific presentation.
Based on your evaluation findings, treatment may include chiropractic adjustments to restore proper joint motion in the cervical spine and upper back, soft tissue therapy to release muscle tension and fascial restrictions in the neck, shoulders, and base of the skull, postural correction and ergonomic guidance to reduce the mechanical stress contributing to recurring headaches, and corrective exercises to improve cervical stability and reduce tension patterns over time.
For Chronic Headaches
For patients with chronic headaches or significant muscle tension, Class IV laser therapy can be integrated into the care plan to reduce inflammation and support faster tissue recovery.
The Salt Difference
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Most headache treatments focus on managing pain at the symptom level. Our evaluation goes deeper, assessing the cervical spine, posture, and surrounding musculature to identify the mechanical patterns actually driving your headaches. This root cause approach is what allows patients to experience lasting reduction in headache frequency and intensity rather than temporary relief.
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Not all headaches respond to the same treatment. Our doctors are experienced in evaluating and treating tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, migraines, occipital neuralgia, and post traumatic headaches, selecting the most appropriate approach based on your specific presentation and what the evaluation reveals.
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Some headache patients require a multidisciplinary approach involving their primary care physician, neurologist, or dentist. We communicate clearly with other providers when needed and refer out when symptoms suggest a cause beyond the scope of conservative chiropractic care. Your health and safety always come before keeping you in our office.
Good to Know
Can chiropractic care help with migraines?
What is a cervicogenic headache?
How do I know if my headaches are coming from my neck?
Can poor posture cause headaches?
How many treatments will I need before my headaches improve?
Should I stop taking headache medication while receiving chiropractic care?
Explore More
Condition
Neck dysfunction is one of the most common drivers of recurring headaches. If your headaches are accompanied by neck pain or stiffness, learn more about how we evaluate and treat the cervical spine conditions that often contribute to headache patterns.
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Condition
TMJ dysfunction is another commonly overlooked driver of recurring headaches. If your headaches are accompanied by jaw pain, clicking, or facial tightness, learn more about how we evaluate the connection between jaw dysfunction and headache patterns.
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Condition
Post traumatic headaches following a neck injury or auto accident are often linked to cervical spine dysfunction. Learn more about how we evaluate and treat whiplash related conditions that may be contributing to your headaches.
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