Headaches
Most chronic headaches have a structural or neurological cause that medication can't fix. At Revolve, we identify and treat the root driver — not just the symptom.
Understanding Headaches
Headache disorders are the second most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Tension-type headaches affect nearly 40% of the global population. Migraines affect more than 1 billion people worldwide and are the leading cause of disability in people under 50. Cervicogenic headaches — those originating from dysfunction in the cervical spine — are among the most commonly misdiagnosed, frequently treated as migraines when the actual cause is a structural problem in the neck.
The cervical spine plays a central role in most chronic headache disorders. The upper cervical joints (C1–C3) and the muscles, ligaments, and nerves surrounding them are directly connected to the trigeminal nerve — the primary pain pathway of the head and face. When the cervical spine is dysfunctional, suboccipital muscles become hypertonic, and the nervous system becomes sensitized — producing headache patterns that are actually cervical in origin but feel exactly like tension headaches or migraines.
At Revolve, we assess the cervical spine, nervous system, and systemic contributors to headache before treatment. For many patients dealing with chronic, recurrent headaches, this is the first time anyone has looked at the neck as the source — and it often explains everything.
Types of Headaches We Treat
Cervicogenic Headache
Headaches originating from dysfunction in the cervical spine — particularly the upper cervical joints (C1–C3). Pain typically starts at the base of the skull and radiates forward. Often misdiagnosed as migraines or tension headaches.
Tension-Type Headache
The most common headache type — a diffuse, pressure-like pain often described as a tight band around the head. Driven by muscle tension in the suboccipital, trapezius, and cervical muscles, often secondary to poor posture or forward head carriage.
Migraine
Recurrent, often debilitating headaches — frequently accompanied by nausea, light/sound sensitivity, and aura. Cervical spine dysfunction, nervous system sensitization, hormonal imbalances, and gut inflammation all play documented roles in migraine frequency and severity.
Post-Concussion Headache
Persistent headaches following traumatic brain injury or concussion — driven by neuroinflammation, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, and cervical ligament injury sustained at the time of impact.
Suboccipital Muscle Headache
Trigger points in the suboccipital muscles refer pain directly into the head, producing headache patterns that follow predictable pathways into the eye, temple, or base of skull.
Hormonal & Inflammatory Headache
Headaches driven by hormonal fluctuations, gut dysbiosis, systemic inflammation, or food sensitivities — identified through functional medicine testing and addressed at the root metabolic level.
Symptoms
Pain at the base of the skull
Pressure or tightness around the head
Throbbing pain on one side
Nausea or light sensitivity
Pain behind the eyes
Neck stiffness with headache
Headaches triggered by posture
Daily or near-daily headaches
Headaches that don't respond to medication
What the Research Says
Evidence-Based Findings on Headache Treatment
Spinal manipulation is favored for tension-type and cervicogenic headaches by clinical practice guidelines. A 50-year review of 33 clinical practice guidelines found that recent CPG recommendations favor spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for both tension-type and cervicogenic headaches — placing chiropractic care among the most evidence-supported conservative treatments available. (Trager et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2024.)
Chiropractic manipulation significantly reduces migraine days. Studies comparing chiropractic manipulation to sham treatment found a meaningful reduction in migraine days in favor of chiropractic manipulation. A 2024 published case report documented complete resolution of chronic migraines following correction of cervical lordosis and forward head posture through chiropractic care — with a seven-month follow-up confirming sustained improvement. (Cureus, 2024.)
Myofascial release reduces headache pain and disability. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in a peer-reviewed journal confirmed that myofascial release techniques significantly reduce pain intensity and headache-related disability in patients with tension-type headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and migraines — supporting its role as a core component of integrative headache care.
Cervicogenic headache is frequently misdiagnosed and undertreated. Research consistently shows that cervicogenic headache — caused by structural dysfunction in the cervical spine — is among the most commonly missed headache diagnoses. Patients are frequently treated for migraines or tension headaches for years when the actual cause is cervical joint dysfunction that responds directly to spinal manipulation and soft tissue therapy.
How We Treat Headaches at Revolve
Chiropractic Adjustments
Upper cervical and cervicothoracic adjustments to restore normal joint motion, reduce nerve irritation, and correct the structural cervical dysfunction driving headache patterns. Learn more →
Myofascial Therapy
Targeted release of the suboccipital muscles, upper trapezius, SCM, and cervical fascia — deactivating the trigger points and muscle tension patterns that generate and sustain headaches. Learn more →
IASIS Neurofeedback
For migraines and post-concussion headaches driven by nervous system dysregulation, IASIS MCN disrupts the stuck brainwave patterns that amplify pain sensitivity and headache frequency. Learn more →
Frequency Specific Microcurrent
FSM targets nerve inflammation, muscle hypertonicity, and neurological sensitization — reducing the biological environment that perpetuates chronic headache cycles. Learn more →
Corrective Rehabilitation
Addressing forward head posture, cervical instability, and the movement patterns that chronically overload the upper cervical spine — reducing the structural load that triggers headaches. Learn more →
Functional Medicine Testing
For hormonal, inflammatory, or gut-driven headaches, advanced lab panels identify the metabolic root causes — including food sensitivities, gut dysbiosis, and hormonal imbalances. Learn more →
Medical Disclaimer. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Marco Abellera, DC follows all applicable FDA guidelines. Benefits and risks of all treatments will be discussed in full during your consultation.
Tired of living with headaches?
Book a consultation and let Dr. Marco identify the structural and neurological drivers of your headaches — and build a plan to address them.
Book a Consultation