Headache and Migraine Treatment in Jacksonville, FL
A lot of chronic headaches are not coming from your head. They are coming from your neck. That changes what the right treatment looks like.
Not All Headaches Are the Same
Tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and migraines all present differently and respond to different treatments. The problem is that a lot of patients and even some providers lump them together and treat them the same way, usually with medication that manages the symptom but does not touch the cause.
Tension headaches are the most common type. They are characterized by a dull, pressing pain around the forehead or back of the head, often described as a band tightening around the skull. They are driven by muscle tension in the cervical and upper thoracic region. The trigger is the muscle and joint dysfunction. The head just happens to be where the pain shows up.
Cervicogenic headaches originate in the upper cervical spine, specifically at C1, C2, and C3. Restriction or dysfunction at those levels refers pain into the head in a pattern that closely mimics a one-sided migraine or tension headache. These are consistently misdiagnosed. The tell is that the pain typically starts at the base of the skull and radiates forward, and the headache can often be reproduced or changed by moving the neck. Chiropractic is the most effective treatment for this type of headache we know of.
Migraines are a neurological condition with a more complex mechanism. Chiropractic cannot cure migraines but many migraine patients have cervical triggers that, when addressed, reduce the frequency and severity of their episodes. It is worth exploring if you are having regular migraines and have not tried conservative spinal care.
How We Treat Headaches at Full Swing Healthcare
Dr. Muren's headache assessment starts by categorizing the type of headache you are having. He will ask detailed questions about the location, onset, duration, what makes it better or worse, and whether it is associated with neck pain or stiffness. That information shapes the treatment approach completely.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic
For cervicogenic and tension headaches, upper cervical adjustments are the core treatment. Restoring proper motion at C1, C2, and C3 directly addresses the mechanical source of the headache. Dr. Muren uses precise, low-force adjustments at these levels. The results can be dramatic. Patients who have been taking over-the-counter pain medication daily for years sometimes see their headaches stop completely within a few weeks of consistent cervical care.
Suboccipital Soft Tissue Release
The suboccipital muscles sit at the base of the skull and attach to the upper cervical vertebrae. When they are chronically tight, they compress the nerves and blood vessels in that region and contribute directly to headache onset. Therapeutic massage and trigger point release in the suboccipitals is one of the most immediately effective things we can do for headache patients.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has strong evidence for both tension headaches and migraines. It modulates the pain signaling pathway and reduces the inflammatory markers associated with migraine onset. Dr. Muren often combines acupuncture with cervical chiropractic for headache patients who are not getting enough relief from adjustments alone. Read more about how chiropractic addresses headaches here.
Getting Headache Treatment in Jacksonville
If you are having headaches multiple times per week or living on ibuprofen to function, that is not something you should just accept. Come in and let us look at the cervical spine. If the problem is mechanical and it often is, we can help. If it is not, we will tell you that and point you in the right direction.
We are at 13770 Beach Blvd, Suite 4, Jacksonville, FL 32224. Call (904) 539-3352 or book your appointment online.
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Same-day appointments available most days. Call or book online.