Condition Guide
Headaches & Migraines
Different headache patterns call for different care. Learn common triggers, treatment options, and symptoms that should never be ignored.
What Headaches & Migraines Are
A headache is pain or pressure in the head, face, or upper neck. Primary headache disorders include migraine and tension-type headache. Other headaches are secondary to another issue, such as infection, medication overuse, head injury, very high blood pressure, or a condition involving the brain, eyes, sinuses, jaw, or neck. Migraine is a neurological disorder and may include nausea, light or sound sensitivity, and aura.
Common Symptoms
- Pressure, tightness, throbbing, or one-sided pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light, sound, smells, or movement
- Visual, sensory, or speech changes called aura
- Neck or jaw tension and reduced range of motion
- Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or symptoms that worsen with activity
Common Causes
- Migraine biology and inherited susceptibility
- Stress, sleep disruption, dehydration, skipped meals, or hormonal shifts
- Muscle tension or pain referred from the neck or jaw
- Medication overuse or caffeine changes
- Viral illness, sinus inflammation, eye strain, or head injury
- Less commonly, a serious vascular, infectious, pressure-related, or neurological condition
Risk Factors
- A personal or family history of migraine
- Female sex and hormonal fluctuations
- Irregular sleep or meals
- High stress and prolonged screen or desk time
- Previous concussion or neck injury
- Frequent use of acute headache medication
When to Seek Care
Call 911 for a sudden thunderclap headache that reaches maximum intensity within seconds or minutes, or a headache with new weakness, numbness, confusion, fainting, seizure, trouble speaking, severe vision loss, or loss of coordination. Seek urgent evaluation after a significant head injury, with fever and stiff neck, during pregnancy or postpartum, with a painful red eye, or for a new severe headache in someone with cancer or immune suppression. New, changing, progressively worsening, or frequent headaches also deserve medical assessment.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on headache type. Options may include hydration, regular sleep and meals, trigger management, physical activity, stress-management skills, physical therapy, and clinician-guided medicines for acute attacks or prevention. Migraine-specific treatments can include triptans, gepants, preventive medications, or injectable therapies. Some people with cervicogenic or tension-type headache may benefit from manual therapy and exercise after serious causes are excluded. Frequent pain-reliever use can worsen headaches, so medication patterns should be reviewed with a clinician.
How Credence Evaluates Headaches & Migraines
Credence takes a detailed headache history, including onset, location, frequency, associated symptoms, triggers, injuries, medications, and warning signs. When appropriate, we assess posture, jaw and neck motion, muscle tone, neurological function, and movement patterns. We do not assume every headache comes from the spine. Red flags, migraine needing medical management, or unexplained findings prompt referral to primary care, urgent care, or neurology. If chiropractic care is appropriate, the plan is individualized and coordinated with other care.
Important: This page provides general education and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for care from an appropriate medical or mental health professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a headache and migraine?
Headache is a broad symptom. Migraine is a neurological disorder with a characteristic pattern that may include throbbing pain, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and sometimes aura, though not every migraine includes every feature.
Can neck problems contribute to headaches?
Yes. Cervicogenic headaches are referred from structures in the neck, and muscle tension can contribute to some headache patterns. A careful history and examination are needed because many headaches are not neck-driven.
Can chiropractic care help migraines?
Some people report improvement with conservative care, but chiropractic care is not a cure and does not replace medical migraine treatment. Credence screens for warning signs and coordinates care based on the individual headache pattern.
Should I keep a headache diary?
Yes. Recording timing, duration, symptoms, menstrual cycle, sleep, food, hydration, stress, and medication use can reveal patterns and help clinicians assess treatment response.
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