Headaches are not all the same. Some may involve the neck and surrounding musculoskeletal structures, while migraine is a neurological disorder and other headaches can signal an urgent medical problem. Dr. Ben McDowell evaluates whether a cervical or musculoskeletal component may be present and whether chiropractic care is a reasonable option.
Headache pain can differ in location, intensity, duration, frequency, triggers, and associated symptoms. Musculoskeletal discomfort may develop after an auto accident, exercise or gym activity, work, daily life activities, or another identifiable event, and in other situations symptoms may appear without an obvious triggering event or seem to come "out of nowhere." Tension-type headache, migraine, cluster headache, and cervicogenic headache are different clinical categories. A chiropractor should not assume that every headache is caused by the spine or can be corrected with an adjustment. An evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate or whether another type of care is needed.
The purpose of a chiropractic evaluation is narrower: to determine whether neck movement, joints, muscles, posture, or a previous injury may be contributing to the pattern and whether care within chiropractic scope is appropriate.
Call 911 for a sudden, severe headache unlike prior headaches, particularly when it occurs with weakness, facial droop, difficulty speaking, confusion, loss of consciousness, double vision, severe imbalance, or other possible stroke symptoms.
Seek prompt medical care for a new headache after a significant head injury, a headache with fever and severe neck stiffness, a major change in a known headache pattern, or progressive neurological symptoms.
This section is general information and cannot diagnose the cause of a headache.
A cervicogenic headache is head pain associated with a problem in the neck. It may be influenced by neck movement or position and can occur with restricted motion or discomfort in the cervical area. Diagnosis requires a clinical assessment because symptoms can overlap with other headache types.
Research summarized by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health suggests that spinal manipulation may reduce the frequency or intensity of cervicogenic headache for some people, but the body of evidence is limited and does not predict an individual result.
Migraine is a neurological disorder that can include head pain, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and other symptoms. Preliminary research has explored spinal manipulation for migraine, but study limitations mean it should not be presented as a proven cure or replacement for medical migraine care.
If you have migraine, continue working with the healthcare professional who manages it. Dr. McDowell can discuss whether a musculoskeletal or neck-related factor may warrant a coordinated approach.
McDowell Chiropractic offers instrument-assisted options, including Atlas Orthogonal and Activator Methods. Atlas Orthogonal is focused on the upper-cervical area and may be considered only when the evaluation suggests that this area is relevant and no contraindication is identified. Activator Methods uses a handheld chiropractic instrument and may be used in areas throughout the spine; Dr. McDowell uses it more frequently in his practice. Neither technique establishes the cause of a headache, and neither should be promoted as a treatment for every headache or neurological condition.
Some people with cervicogenic headache or selected musculoskeletal contributors may benefit from chiropractic or manual care. Evidence varies, and an evaluation is needed to determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
No cure should be promised. Migraine is a neurological disorder. Preliminary research has explored spinal manipulation, but the evidence does not justify replacing appropriate medical migraine care.
No. A sudden severe headache unlike prior headaches can be a medical emergency. Call 911, especially when it occurs with neurological symptoms.
Bring a medication list, relevant medical records, previous imaging when available, and a headache diary showing frequency, duration, symptoms, possible triggers, and effects on daily life.
It may be considered only when Dr. McDowell finds a relevant upper-cervical or musculoskeletal component. No technique can guarantee a specific outcome.
