Frequent headaches and migraines can derail your workday, your workouts, and your sleep. At RESPORT, our chiropractors look at what’s driving your head pain, including neck stiffness, muscle tension, posture, and daily habits. Then we build a treatment plan around you. Many patients come to us with tension headaches or headaches that start in the neck, and some come for migraines that keep coming back. Treatment combines gentle adjustments, soft tissue work, and practical lifestyle guidance. The goal is fewer headaches, less severe pain, and a plan you can stick with. Book a consultation at our Old Town clinic on La Salle Drive.
Migraines and headaches are both types of head pain, but their defining characteristics are distinctly different. Headaches are a common complaint caused by various factors, including stress, fatigue, dehydration, and muscle tension. Often described as a dull, aching pain, headaches can be felt anywhere in your head.
Migraines are more severe. Usually occurring on one side of your head, they’re often characterized by a throbbing or pulsing pain accompanied by other symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sounds, and potentially visual disturbances. What makes migraines so much worse are their intensity, duration, and frequency that greatly impact your daily quality of life.
Stiff or restricted joints in the upper neck can refer pain into the head. Targeted adjustments and mobilization restore movement and can ease headache frequency and intensity.
Tight muscles at the base of the skull, neck, and shoulders are a common headache trigger. Soft tissue therapy, stretching, and dry needling help release that tension.
Forward head posture from screens and desk work loads the neck all day. Our AI posture analysis pinpoints problem areas. We then give you exercises and workstation tweaks to keep headaches from coming back.
Many people have found relief from migraines and headaches through chiropractic adjustments, making this holistic approach a valuable tool in managing these conditions.
Tension-type headaches are the most common kind of headache. They feel like a tight band or pressure around the head and are often linked to stress, long hours at a desk, and tight neck and shoulder muscles.
Cervicogenic headaches start in the neck, from the joints, discs, or muscles of the upper cervical spine. The pain is felt in the head, often on one side, and it typically worsens with certain neck movements or sustained postures. These are among the headaches best suited to chiropractic and manual therapy.
Migraines are a neurological condition. They involve throbbing pain, often on one side, and may come with nausea, light and sound sensitivity, or aura. Chiropractic care doesn’t cure migraines. It can help manage contributing factors like neck tension and posture, and many patients use it alongside care from their physician or neurologist.
Because RESPORT offers chiropractic, physical therapy, and massage therapy under one roof, your care team can combine treatments when that’s what works best. A patient with neck-related headaches might pair adjustments with corrective exercise from a physical therapist and targeted massage. All of it is coordinated in one plan. If your headaches come with neck pain, we treat both together.
When you visit us at RESPORT, one of our expert chiropractors will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle. A physical exam helps us assess your overall health and identify any spinal misalignments. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper alignment and reduce pain, and we’ll provide you with personalized lifestyle advice to address underlying factors contributing to your symptoms.
The specific procedures and techniques used may vary depending on your chiropractor’s approach and your individual needs.
Seek emergency care right away for a sudden, severe “worst headache of your life”; a headache after a head injury; or a headache with fever and stiff neck, confusion, weakness, numbness, vision loss, or trouble speaking. If your headache pattern has recently changed or keeps getting worse, check with your physician. We’re happy to coordinate with your doctor or neurologist.
How often you need care depends on your headache type, how long you’ve had symptoms, and how your body responds to treatment. Many patients start with one to two visits per week for the first few weeks. Visits are then spaced out as headaches become less frequent. Your chiropractor will recommend a schedule after your first evaluation.
For many people, yes. Chiropractic care works best for tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches, which start in the neck. Adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and posture correction can reduce how often headaches happen and how intense they feel. Your evaluation will show whether your headaches are a good fit for chiropractic care.
Yes. Stiff or restricted joints in the upper neck can strain the surrounding muscles and send pain into the head. Chiropractic adjustments restore movement to those joints, which can ease muscle tension and reduce headache pain. Pairing adjustments with posture work and stretching helps the results last longer.
Chiropractic care doesn’t treat the hormonal changes behind these migraines, but it can help with related symptoms. Releasing tension in the neck and shoulders may make attacks feel less severe, and it can address other triggers like poor posture. We recommend working with your physician or OB-GYN alongside chiropractic care.
Misalignment alone doesn’t cause migraines, which are a neurological condition. However, restricted joints and tight muscles in the neck can trigger attacks or make them worse. Addressing these issues through chiropractic care may help reduce how often migraines occur and how intense they feel.
Poor posture can contribute to migraines and headaches. Forward head posture from phones, laptops, and desk work puts extra strain on the neck and upper back, which can trigger head pain. Correcting your posture, strengthening weak muscles, and adjusting your workstation can help reduce how often headaches happen.
Chiropractic care is generally safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor. Every new patient at RESPORT is screened for warning signs before treatment, and techniques are matched to your needs, including gentle, low-force options. If anything suggests a more serious cause of your headaches, we’ll refer you to a physician.
Many insurance plans include chiropractic coverage, but benefits vary from plan to plan. Our team can help you check your coverage before your first visit so there are no surprises. Visit our Chiropractic Insurance page for details or call us at (312) 900-2640.
Many patients notice changes within the first few visits, such as fewer headaches or less intense pain. Headaches that have lasted months or years may take longer to improve. Your chiropractor will track your progress and adjust your plan so you know what to expect at each stage.
RESPORT is located at 1221 N La Salle Dr. in Old Town, near the Clark/Division Red Line stop and minutes from the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and River North. We offer chiropractic, physical therapy, and massage under one roof, with appointments starting at 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Book online or call (312) 900-2640.
