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Addressing the Structural Root of Your Headache
Stop letting pain control your life. At Urban Chiropractic, we don’t just mask your symptoms—we find and treat the root cause of your pain.
Most chronic headaches are not “in your head”—they are in your neck. When the vertebrae in your upper spine are misaligned, they irritate nerves and tighten the muscles that travel into your skull. At Urban Chiropractic, we move beyond temporary medication to find the structural trigger of your head pain.
Common Head Pain We Treat
Cervicogenic Headaches
Most chronic headaches are not “in your head”—they are in your neck. When the vertebrae in your upper spine are misaligned, they irritate nerves and tighten the muscles that travel into your skull. At Urban Chiropractic, we move beyond temporary medication to find the structural trigger of your head pain.
You might feel:
- Pain that starts at the base of the skull and wraps around to the temple or eye.
- Headaches that are triggered or worsened by specific neck movements.
- A reduced range of motion in the neck accompanied by a "stiff" feeling.
- Pain that is primarily felt on only one side of the head.
Usually caused by:
- Upper Cervical Subluxation: Misalignment of the C1 (Atlas) or C2 (Axis) vertebrae.
- Tech Neck: Prolonged forward-head posture from computer or phone use.
- Facet Joint Dysfunction: Inflammation in the small stabilizing joints of the upper spine.
- Muscle Adhesions: Chronic knots in the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull.
Post-Whiplash Headaches
These headaches result from the rapid acceleration-deceleration force of an accident, which overstretches neck ligaments and causes “micro-instability” in the spine.
You might feel:
- Frequent headaches that begin shortly after a motor vehicle accident.
- A "grinding" or popping sensation during squats or movement.
- Swelling and stiffness that makes it difficult to bend your leg.
- A feeling of the knee "giving out" or instability when changing directions.
Usually caused by:
- Ligamentous Laxity: Overstretched ligaments that can no longer hold vertebrae in place.
- Muscle Guarding: Intense spasms in the traps and neck that pull on the skull.
- Nerve Entrapment: Greater Occipital Nerve irritation caused by post-accident swelling.
- Concussive Impact: Minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI) often paired with whiplash.
How Urban Chiropractic Helps
At Urban Chiropractic, we use a targeted approach to calm the nervous system and release the physical triggers of head pain:
- The Gonstead Adjustment: Precise, gentle correction of the upper cervical spine to remove nerve interference.
- Active Release Therapy (ART): Specifically targets the small "tension muscles" at the base of the skull.
- Postural Rehabilitation: Corrects the "forward head" position to reduce the constant load on neck structures.
- Trigger Point Therapy: Deactivates hyper-irritable knots in the shoulders that contribute to tension headaches.
How to Prevent Lower Back Pain
- Eye-level screens
Raise your monitors to ensure your neck stays neutral while working.
- Hydration protocol
Maintain consistent water intake to prevent metabolic headache triggers.
- The "Chin Tuck" exercise
Perform gentle retractions to strengthen the deep neck flexors.
- Micro-stretches
Every 30 minutes, drop your shoulders and reset your posture to break the tension cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to have a headache every day?
No. While common, daily headaches are a sign of underlying spinal or nerve dysfunction and should be evaluated.
Can a chiropractor help with Migraines?
Yes. While migraines have vascular components, spinal adjustments reduce the “neurological load,” often decreasing the frequency and intensity of attacks.
Why does my neck feel fine if it's causing my headache?
The body often “silently” compensates for neck issues. The muscles guard the spine so effectively you don’t feel neck pain, but the resulting tension manifests as a headache.