Frequent headaches can take over your week. At Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT (PMR), headache treatment focuses on what hands-on care and exercise can reach: stiff upper-neck joints, tight neck and shoulder muscles, posture and daily habits. For migraine, we work alongside your physician, not in place of their care. You can be seen at any of our two offices, in Danbury, CT, or Brewster, NY.
When to get urgent care
Some headaches signal a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away for:
- A sudden, explosive headache that peaks within about a minute, or the worst headache of your life
- A headache with fever, a stiff neck, a new rash, confusion or unusual drowsiness
- A headache after a blow to the head, a fall or a crash, especially if it keeps worsening or comes with vomiting
- A headache with one-sided weakness or numbness, a drooping face, trouble speaking, vision loss or double vision
- A headache with a seizure or fainting
See your doctor promptly, before booking with us, if headaches start after age 50, steadily worsen, change pattern or get worse when you cough or strain. The same goes for headaches with jaw pain when chewing, scalp tenderness or unexplained weight loss, and for new headaches in pregnancy or after giving birth.
Types of headaches
Primary headaches, such as tension-type and migraine, are conditions in their own right. Secondary headaches have another cause, such as a neck problem, a sinus infection or overuse of pain medicine.
Tension-type headache
The most common kind: a dull, pressing band across the forehead, temples or back of the head, usually on both sides. Pain is mild to moderate and isn’t worsened by routine activity. Stress, poor sleep, screen time and tight neck and shoulder muscles often contribute.
Cervicogenic headache
This headache comes from the neck. Irritated joints, discs or muscles in the upper neck refer pain into the head, usually on one side, starting at the base of the skull and spreading forward. Certain neck movements or long periods in one position bring it on. Our neck pain page covers the neck side.
Migraine
Migraine is a neurological condition, not a muscle problem. Attacks are often moderate to severe and throbbing, sometimes one-sided, with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people see an aura, such as zigzag lights, first. Attacks can last from hours to a few days.
What chiropractic and physical therapy can and can’t do
Good headache treatment matches the care to the headache type. Hands-on care and exercise help when the neck and muscles are involved, but they don’t replace medical care for migraine.
Where we can help
- Neck-related headaches. If you’re looking for a chiropractor for headaches, this is where chiropractic care fits most clearly. Gentle manipulation or mobilization of the upper neck, combined with exercise, may reduce how often and how strongly these headaches occur.
- Tension-type headaches. Massage, trigger point therapy, stretching and posture work can ease the muscle tightness that often feeds them.
- Migraine with neck pain. Many people with migraine also have neck pain and tension. Treating these may make attacks easier to manage.
Where your physician leads: diagnosing migraine and other headache disorders, prescribing medicines to stop or prevent attacks, and investigating headaches with warning signs.
A migraine chiropractor should be one part of your care team, not the whole team. We coordinate with your doctor and refer you when needed.
How headache treatment works at PMR
Your first visit sorts out which type of headache you have. Bring a list of your medicines and, ideally, a few weeks of headache notes. Your clinician checks your neck motion, posture, muscle tenderness and upper-neck joints, and screens your nerves.
Along with the chiropractic and soft-tissue care described above, your plan may include:
- Physical therapy to strengthen the deep neck and shoulder blade muscles, plus desk setup advice
- Acupuncture, which has been studied for preventing migraine and tension-type headaches and is listed as an option in some clinical guidelines. It may reduce headache frequency for some people.
- Vestibular rehabilitation, if dizziness comes with your headaches
Triggers and habits worth tracking
- Keep a headache diary for a few weeks, noting sleep, food, caffeine, alcohol, stress and, if relevant, your menstrual cycle.
- Keep regular sleep and meal times, weekends included, and drink water through the day.
- Keep caffeine moderate and consistent, since sudden cutbacks can trigger headaches.
- Try regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, which may help reduce headache frequency.
- Watch your pain-reliever use. Taking headache medicine on many days each month can cause rebound (medication-overuse) headaches. If you need it more than a couple of days a week, talk with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chiropractor help with headaches?
Chiropractic care can help some headaches, especially cervicogenic and tension-type headaches linked to stiff neck joints and tight muscles. Treatment often combines gentle adjustments or mobilization with soft-tissue work and exercise. It doesn’t replace medical care for migraine, and a careful chiropractor screens for warning signs before treating your neck.
Should I see a chiropractor if I have migraines?
You can, as part of a team approach. Neck pain and muscle tension are common with migraine, and treating them may make attacks easier to manage for some people. Your physician or neurologist should still diagnose migraine and manage medication. Tell your chiropractor about your migraine history, any aura and the medicines you take.
What tension headache treatment can I try at home?
For an occasional tension-type headache, try a short walk, gentle neck and shoulder stretches, a warm compress on the back of your neck and a break from your screen. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help but shouldn’t be used on many days each month. If these headaches are frequent, a structured plan for posture and sleep usually helps more.
Schedule a headache evaluation
If headaches keep getting in the way of work, sleep or family time, start headache treatment with a thorough evaluation. Call PMR of Danbury, CT at (203) 744-8013 or PMR of Brewster, NY at (845) 279-1135.
You can also book your visit online. Headaches are one of many conditions we treat at every office.