Headaches and Migraines
What Is a Headache or Migraine?
Most people think of a headache as a problem in the head. But more often than not, the head is simply where the symptoms show up — not where the problem actually begins.
Pain or dysfunction in the neck, upper back, and shoulders can refer upward into the temples, behind the eyes, or across the forehead. This happens because the nerves and muscles of the neck share close connections with the head and face. When those tissues become overloaded, the head is often the first place you feel it.
Daily habits — prolonged sitting, screen time, shallow breathing, jaw clenching, or repetitive training loads — gradually place more stress on these areas than they can comfortably manage. Over time, that accumulation becomes the pain you feel in your head.
At Move Better, we don’t chase the symptom. We ask why your system became irritated in the first place. When we improve how you breathe, move, and distribute load through your body, headaches often resolve naturally. For most people, the solution isn’t found in treating the head alone — it’s found in changing how the whole body works together.
Common Headache & Migraine Presentations We See
Tension Headaches
The most common type. Often described as a dull ache or tight pressure around the forehead and temples — like a band wrapping around the head. Tension headaches are closely linked to muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, and are frequently triggered by stress, prolonged sitting, or long hours at a screen.
Cervicogenic Headaches
These originate in the neck. Pain typically begins at the base of the skull or one side of the neck and travels upward into the head or behind the eye. They are often associated with neck stiffness, limited range of motion, or specific movements and positions. Because the source is mechanical in nature, these respond very well to movement-based care and hands-on treatment.
Migraines
More intense in nature, often described as throbbing or pulsing, and sometimes accompanied by light or sound sensitivity, nausea, or visual aura. While migraines involve the nervous system more broadly, they are frequently influenced by stress, sleep, hormones, breathing patterns, hydration, and muscle tension. For many patients, mechanical irritation in the neck and upper back acts as a trigger — increasing both frequency and severity.
Postural and Lifestyle-Related Headaches
These develop gradually and are commonly linked to how we work and move throughout the day. Long periods of sitting, looking down at screens, shallow breathing, or repetitive physical demands slowly overload the tissues of the neck and shoulders until symptoms surface. These headaches often improve quickly when posture, movement habits, and strength are properly addressed.
Our Approach
Every headache is different. We don’t treat the headache — we treat the individual in front of us. And to do that effectively, we start by asking the same question we ask with every patient: why does this person have this problem in the first place?
To help us answer that question, we use our Movement Paradigm Evaluation, developed and refined in-house. This process allows us to observe how our patients organize themselves through movement, giving us meaningful insight into the patterns and habits driving their symptoms. Combined with clinical experience and current evidence, this evaluation becomes the foundation of a personalized treatment plan — one that may include movement retraining, chiropractic adjusting, and soft tissue work, and is continually refined as your needs evolve.
There are times when chiropractic care alone is not enough, and we are upfront about that. We have worked hard to build a trusted multidisciplinary network to better support our patients. In-house, we offer acupuncture and massage therapy — both of which have become invaluable complements to our movement-based approach, particularly for patients dealing with chronic tension, nervous system sensitization, or stress-related headache patterns. Beyond that, we maintain strong relationships with naturopaths, imaging centers, and other healthcare professionals whose values align with ours. We know our limits, and we take it seriously to make sure you receive the full scope of care you need and deserve.
Work With Us
If you’re experiencing headaches or migraines that affect your daily activities, we can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
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