Condition We Treat

Headaches & Migraines

Relief from tension headaches and chronic migraines through spinal health.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jason Bang, DC, FNP

|Last updated: April 2, 2026

Understanding Headaches & Migraines

Chronic headaches are one of the most disabling conditions in modern healthcare — and one of the most undertreated at the source. The standard medical approach relies heavily on pain medication: over-the-counter anti-inflammatories for tension headaches, triptans for migraines, and eventually preventive medications for chronic sufferers. While these options provide temporary relief, they do nothing to address why the headaches are occurring in the first place.

Research has consistently demonstrated a strong link between cervical spine dysfunction and headache disorders. The upper cervical spine — particularly the joints and nerves at the C1, C2, and C3 levels — has direct neurological connections to the trigeminal nucleus, the same pain pathway involved in migraine generation. When these cervical segments are misaligned or restricted, they create persistent irritation in this neural network that can trigger or amplify headache patterns.

At Chiropractic Unlimited, we evaluate every headache patient with this connection in mind. Many people who have suffered from chronic headaches for years — sometimes decades — find significant and lasting relief through cervical chiropractic care because, for the first time, the structural source of their symptoms has been identified and corrected. If you've been managing your headaches rather than eliminating them, there is a very good chance that a cervical spine issue is playing a significant role.

Root Causes

What Causes Headaches & Migraines?

Headaches and migraines have multiple contributing causes, but structural and neurological factors in the cervical spine are among the most frequently overlooked. At Chiropractic Unlimited, we focus on identifying the mechanical contributors that respond to chiropractic intervention:

Upper Cervical Misalignment: The joint at the base of the skull (the occiput-atlas joint) and the upper cervical vertebrae (C1-C3) are in direct neurological communication with the trigeminal nucleus caudalis — the brainstem region responsible for head and face pain. Misalignment at these levels creates chronic irritation in this pathway, lowering the headache threshold and making migraine attacks more frequent and severe.

Muscular Tension and Trigger Points: Chronic tightness in the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull, the upper trapezius, and the levator scapulae is a major driver of tension-type headaches. These muscles often harbor trigger points — hypersensitive knots that refer pain into the head, temples, and behind the eyes. Cervical misalignment is a primary driver of chronic muscular tension in these areas.

Postural Stress: Forward head posture dramatically increases the load on posterior cervical muscles and joints. The chronic muscular and joint strain from sustained poor posture is a leading cause of daily or near-daily tension headaches, particularly in desk workers and those who spend significant time on devices.

Restricted Cervical Joint Motion: When cervical joints lose their normal range of motion — due to prior injury, degenerative changes, or sustained postural stress — they generate pain signals that can feed directly into headache patterns, particularly those felt at the base of the skull, temples, or behind the eyes.

Recognize the Signs

Common Symptoms

Pulsing or throbbing pain

Sensitivity to light and sound

Neck stiffness before onset

Temporal or behind-the-eye pressure

Nausea during episodes

Pain worsening with activity

Take Action

When to See a Chiropractor

If headaches are disrupting your quality of life — affecting your work, your family, or your sleep — you deserve more than just a prescription to manage them. Chiropractic evaluation is particularly appropriate if your headaches are accompanied by neck stiffness or tension, seem to start at the base of the skull, worsen with certain head positions or after prolonged sitting, or have not responded satisfactorily to medication alone.

You should schedule an evaluation if you experience headaches three or more times per week, if over-the-counter medications are becoming less effective, or if you're taking headache medication more than two days per week — a pattern that can lead to medication overuse headache.

While most headaches have musculoskeletal or neurological origins that chiropractic can address, Dr. Bang's FNP training allows him to conduct a thorough clinical evaluation to rule out secondary causes — including hypertension, sinus pathology, or more serious neurological conditions — before establishing a treatment plan. This level of clinical thoroughness is what sets integrated care at Chiropractic Unlimited apart.

How We Help

Our Treatment Approach

Our approach to headaches and migraines centers on a thorough assessment of the upper cervical spine — the region with the most direct neurological influence on head pain patterns. Dr. Bang evaluates cervical joint mobility, muscle tension, postural alignment, and neurological function to build a precise clinical picture of what's driving your headaches. Cervical Spinal Adjustment is the primary treatment tool for most headache patients. By restoring proper motion and alignment to the upper cervical vertebrae — particularly C1, C2, and C3 — we reduce the chronic mechanical irritation that feeds the headache pathway. Many patients notice a reduction in headache frequency after just a few adjustments, as the nervous system recalibrates with the structural corrections. For patients with significant muscle tension, we incorporate myofascial release and soft tissue therapy targeting the suboccipital muscles, upper trapezius, and cervical paraspinals. Releasing these chronically shortened muscles removes a major source of referral pain into the head and significantly enhances the effectiveness of spinal adjustments. Postural correction and ergonomic guidance form an essential part of long-term headache management. Dr. Bang works with each patient to identify the postural habits and environmental factors maintaining their headache triggers — and provides specific, practical strategies to change them. For patients whose headaches have non-mechanical contributors, Dr. Bang's FNP credentials allow him to evaluate and co-manage those factors as part of a truly integrated treatment approach.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a chiropractor really help with migraines?

Yes. Multiple clinical studies have shown that cervical spinal manipulation reduces migraine frequency, duration, and severity in patients with cervicogenic migraine contributions. While chiropractic is not a universal cure for all migraine types, a significant proportion of migraine sufferers have measurable cervical dysfunction that, when corrected, produces a meaningful reduction in attack frequency. Dr. Bang's comprehensive evaluation identifies whether cervical factors are playing a role in your specific headache pattern.

What type of headaches does chiropractic treat best?

Chiropractic care is most effective for tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches — those that originate from or are significantly contributed to by cervical spine dysfunction. Migraines that involve a cervical trigger also respond well. The key diagnostic indicator is whether neck stiffness, restricted motion, or tenderness accompanies the headaches. If it does, there is a strong structural component that chiropractic can address.

Will I need to keep coming back forever?

Our goal is correction, not dependency. During the active care phase, visits are more frequent as we correct the structural problem. Most patients then transition to a less frequent maintenance phase to preserve results and prevent regression. Many eventually require only periodic wellness visits. The objective is always to get you to the point where your spine is functioning well and your headaches are under control with minimal ongoing intervention.

How quickly will I feel relief?

Many patients notice a meaningful reduction in headache frequency and intensity within the first 3-4 weeks of care. Some experience improvement after just a few visits. The response depends on how long the structural problem has been present and the specific type of headache pattern involved.

I've tried everything. How is this different?

Most headache treatments focus on the symptom — the pain itself — rather than the structural cause. Chiropractic care is one of the only approaches that directly evaluates and corrects the cervical mechanics that may be driving headache generation. If you've never had a comprehensive cervical evaluation as part of your headache workup, there is a strong possibility that a treatable structural issue has been missed.

Can children be treated for headaches with chiropractic?

Yes. Pediatric chiropractic care uses significantly gentler techniques appropriate for developing spines. Headaches in children and adolescents frequently have cervical components related to heavy backpack use, poor school posture, and increased screen time — all of which respond well to gentle chiropractic correction and postural guidance.

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical concerns. Dr. Jason Bang holds both Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) credentials. Learn more about Dr. Bang's qualifications.