Headache and Migraine Treatment in Mooresville, NC
People who come to us for headaches have usually already tried the usual things: pain relievers, more water, more sleep, less caffeine. Some of those help in the moment but the headaches keep coming back. That pattern, recurring headaches that do not fully resolve with over-the-counter treatment, is usually a sign that something structural or neurological is driving them, not just dehydration or stress alone.
Injured in a car accident? Crash injuries follow a different pattern and are documented for your claim. See Headaches After a Car Accident in Mooresville.
We treat headaches and migraines at Dudley Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Functional Medicine using chiropractic, acupuncture, and functional medicine, depending on what type of headache you have and what is behind it.
Types and sources
Tension headaches are the most common kind. They usually feel like pressure or tightness across the forehead or the back of the head, and they come from tight muscles and restricted joints in the neck and upper back. The suboccipital muscles, a small group at the base of the skull, are a frequent trigger. When those muscles are locked up, they refer pain into the head in a very consistent pattern.
Cervicogenic headaches come from the neck itself, from joints or discs that are not moving right and are irritating the nerves that run up into the skull. They are common after whiplash or a car accident and often feel like one-sided head pain that starts at the base of the skull.
Migraines are a neurological condition involving changes in brain activity and blood flow. Triggers vary by person: hormonal shifts, certain foods, sleep disruption, barometric pressure changes, or stress. Many migraine patients also have structural issues in the neck that make them more susceptible to attacks.
Treatment
Chiropractic adjustment. For tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches, restoring normal motion to the upper cervical spine takes the pressure off the muscles and nerves that are generating the pain. Many patients see a significant reduction in headache frequency after a short course of adjusting. Read more about chiropractic care.
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is well-supported for both tension headaches and migraines. It calms the nervous system, releases the tight muscles in the neck and shoulders, and helps regulate the neurological patterns that drive migraines. Some patients use it as their primary treatment. Others use it alongside adjusting for better results. We offer a significant discount when you combine services. Read more about acupuncture.
Functional medicine. For migraines, we can look deeper at what is triggering them: hormonal patterns, inflammatory foods, gut health, nutrient deficiencies. Magnesium deficiency, for example, is consistently associated with migraine frequency. A functional medicine workup looks for these patterns and gives you something concrete to address. Read more about functional medicine.
Dry needling. For patients with stubborn tension in the neck and suboccipital muscles, dry needling releases the trigger points that are referring pain into the head. Read more about dry needling.
The course of care
Tension headaches often respond quickly once the tight joints and muscles are addressed. Migraines take longer and are more variable, because reducing frequency and severity is usually a process of identifying and addressing multiple contributing factors over time. We track your headache pattern through care and adjust the approach based on what is and is not working.
Common questions
Can a chiropractor actually help with migraines?
Yes, particularly when the neck is involved. Many migraine patients have significant cervical tension and joint restriction that contributes to attack frequency. Addressing that does not eliminate migraines for everyone, but it reduces frequency and severity in a meaningful number of cases.
How do I know what type of headache I have?
Location, quality, and timing all give clues. We go through your history and pattern at the first visit and explain what we think is driving it before we start any treatment.
Do I have to stop taking my medication to try chiropractic or acupuncture?
No. We work alongside your current care. Any changes to medication are between you and your prescribing doctor.
How many visits does it take to see improvement?
For tension headaches, many patients notice improvement within two to four visits. Migraines are more variable. We give you a realistic picture at the first appointment.
Related conditions: Neck Pain | Low Back Pain
Serving Mooresville and the Lake Norman area, including Cornelius and Huntersville.
Schedule an appointment or call 704-663-2010.
