Headaches & Migraines
Most chronic headaches aren't a brain problem they're a neck and spine problem. Cervicogenic headaches, tension headaches, and many migraines are directly driven by restrictions in the cervical spine and muscle tension patterns that chiropractic care treats well.
Why your headache might start in your neck.
The upper cervical spine (C1–C3) shares nerve pathways with the trigeminal nerve the same nerve associated with migraine pain. When joints in this area are restricted and the surrounding muscles are chronically tight, they can generate pain that's felt anywhere in the head, face, or behind the eyes.
Desk work, forward head posture, screen time, stress, and previous whiplash or trauma are the most common drivers. Many patients who've been managing headaches with medication for years see dramatic improvement once the underlying cervical dysfunction is addressed.
Tension headaches
Dull, pressing pain across the forehead or back of the head — usually from tight suboccipital muscles and restricted upper cervical joints.
Cervicogenic headaches
Pain that starts in the neck and radiates forward. Often one-sided and associated with neck stiffness or a specific trigger position.
Migraines
While not all migraines are cervical in origin, many have a significant musculoskeletal component that responds to chiropractic care and soft tissue work.
Cluster headaches
Less commonly addressed with chiropractic, but cervical dysfunction can be a contributing trigger worth evaluating.
The ADAPT approach to headaches
We start by assessing cervical mobility and identifying which segments are restricted because not all headaches need the same treatment. Suboccipital release, upper cervical adjustments, and postural correction often produce rapid relief even in patients with years of chronic headaches.
Cervical assessment
SFMA plus segmental motion testing to identify the specific joints and muscles driving your headaches.
Manual therapy
Upper cervical adjustments and suboccipital release — most patients feel relief within the first few visits.
Postural retraining
Corrective exercises to reverse forward head posture and reduce the mechanical load on the cervical spine.
Long-term prevention
Strength work and ergonomic habits that keep headaches from coming back.
Related conditions we treat
Tired of managing headaches instead of eliminating them?
Book your cervical assessment in Coeur d'Alene and find out whether your headaches have a structural cause we can actually fix.
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