Pain & Spinal Conditions
Migraine care, without the medication-only approach.
Brief overview
Migraines
Migraine is a neurological condition, and the cervical spine is closely involved in how migraine pain is generated and referred. Chiropractic care is an established conservative option for migraine prevention: evidence-based guidelines for chiropractic management of headache recommend spinal manipulative therapy for episodic migraine, and a 2019 meta-analysis of randomized trials found it reduced migraine days and pain intensity.
Migraine is one of the conditions we treat. Spinal manipulative therapy is a recognized non-pharmacological option for migraine prevention, with randomized trials and a 2019 meta-analysis reporting fewer migraine days and reduced pain intensity.
Common causes
What may be driving it.
- Sensitization of the trigeminocervical complex, where upper cervical and trigeminal input converge
- Cervical joint restriction and muscle tension that lower the threshold for an attack
- Individual triggers such as sleep, stress, hormones, foods, or environment
How chiropractic evaluation may help
A careful assessment first. Then a plan.
Every plan is individualized. A thorough consultation and evaluation is the foundation of appropriate care — or a referral, if that is the right next step.
Evaluation
- — History of pattern, frequency, triggers, and prior workup
- — Cervical, postural, and upper-cervical motion assessment
- — Screening for red flags and coordination with your physician when indicated
How care may help
- — Spinal manipulative therapy aimed at reducing migraine frequency, duration, and intensity
- — Address cervical joint restriction and muscle tension that contribute to attacks
- — Posture, ergonomics, and stress-related tension that act as triggers
- — Track migraine days over a plan of care so progress is measured, not assumed
Learn more about this
Understand it in plain language.
Back, Neck & Spine
Text Neck and Screen-Related Posture
Long hours looking down at phones and screens can influence how the neck and upper back feel over time.
3 min readRead articleBack, Neck & Spine
Headaches and the Neck
How neck structures can contribute to head pain, and what a cervicogenic pattern looks like.
4 min readRead articleBack, Neck & Spine
Migraine vs. Cervicogenic Headache
Migraine and cervicogenic headache are different conditions — and chiropractic care has a role in both. Knowing which you have shapes the plan.
5 min readRead articleReady to understand your migraines?
A thoughtful evaluation is the fastest path to clarity — and to the right next step for your body.
Go deeper
The research, and the practical steps.
Knowledge Center article
Headache Research Review
Not all headaches are the same. Cervicogenic headache, tension-type headache, and migraine each have their own patterns — and each has evidence supporting conservative chiropractic care.
Read the evidence reviewPatient guide
Desk Ergonomics Guide
Set up your workstation to reduce the daily load on your neck, shoulders and low back.
Open the guideContinue exploring
Related conditions.
Related condition
Back PainBack pain can arise from many factors, including joint irritation, muscle strain, disc involvement, posture, inactivity, repetitive stress, injury, or underlying medical conditions. Learn how individualized evaluation can help identify the likely contributors and guide appropriate care or referral.
Read Evidence review: Low Back Pain Research ReviewRelated condition
Neck PainNeck discomfort may be associated with posture, prolonged screen use, joint restriction, muscle tension, injury, repetitive activity, or other conditions. A careful assessment helps determine which movement, neurological, or musculoskeletal factors may be involved.
Read Evidence review: Neck Pain Research ReviewRelated condition
SciaticaSciatica describes pain or neurological symptoms that travel along the path of the sciatic nerve. Because similar symptoms may have different causes, proper evaluation is essential before recommending care.
Read Evidence review: Sciatica Research Review