Headaches and Migraines
 

Understand Your Headache Pattern and Find the Right Path Forward

Headaches can interfere with work, sleep, concentration, exercise, and everyday life. Some are influenced by neck tension, joint restriction, posture, stress, or prolonged screen use, while others—such as migraine or cluster headache—are neurological conditions that may require coordinated medical management.

At Performance and Recovery Clinic, we evaluate whether the neck, upper back, jaw, muscles, and movement habits may be contributing to your symptoms. When a headache appears to have a musculoskeletal component, we create an individualized plan to improve movement, reduce associated tension, and help you better manage recurring triggers.
 

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Common Types of Headaches

Different headache patterns require different approaches.
 

Tension-Type Headaches

Tension-type headaches commonly feel like pressure, tightness, or a dull ache around the forehead, temples, scalp, or back of the head.

They may be associated with:

• Neck and shoulder tension

• Stress or fatigue

• Prolonged computer work

• Reduced neck or upper-back mobility

• Jaw clenching

• Changes in sleep or routine
   

Headaches Associated With the Neck

Some headaches may be influenced by structures in the neck and upper back. Symptoms often begin around the base of the skull or neck and may spread toward the forehead, temple, or behind one eye.

These headaches may worsen with:

• Certain neck movements

• Prolonged posture

• Driving or computer work

• Previous neck injury

• Restricted upper-back movement
   

Migraine

Migraine is a neurological condition that may involve:

• Moderate to severe headache pain

• Throbbing or pulsing sensations

• Nausea or vomiting

• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell

• Visual or sensory aura

• Fatigue or difficulty concentrating

Migraine management may require medical evaluation, medication, lifestyle strategies, and identification of individual triggers. Chiropractic and manual care may support neck mobility or associated muscular tension for some patients, but should not be presented as a cure for migraine.
 

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches cause severe pain, typically around one eye, and may occur with tearing, redness, nasal congestion, or restlessness.

Because cluster headache is a neurological disorder requiring medical management, patients with suspected cluster headaches should be evaluated by an appropriate medical provider.
 

Common Headache Triggers and Contributors

Headache patterns may be influenced by:

• Neck and upper-back tension

• Prolonged screen use

• Workstation ergonomics

• Jaw clenching or grinding

• Stress and disrupted sleep

• Dehydration or missed meals

• Previous neck injury or whiplash

• Changes in caffeine intake

• Hormonal or environmental factors

• Reduced tolerance for sustained posture

The presence of neck tension does not necessarily mean the neck is the only cause. Our assessment helps determine whether musculoskeletal care is likely to be useful.
 

How We Evaluate Headaches

Your assessment may include:

• Headache history and symptom pattern

• Frequency, duration, and possible triggers

• Neck and upper-back mobility

• Neurological screening

• Orthopedic testing

• Jaw and TMJ screening when appropriate

• Posture and movement assessment

• Review of previous injuries

• Review of available medical records or imaging

We also look for features suggesting that medical evaluation or referral may be needed.

A headache diary can be helpful for tracking frequency, triggers, associated symptoms, and response to treatment.
 

Our Treatment Approach

When the examination suggests that the neck, upper back, jaw, or surrounding muscles may be contributing to symptoms, care may include the following:
 

Chiropractic Care and Joint Mobilization

Gentle adjustments or mobilization may be used to improve comfortable movement through the neck, upper back, and ribs.

The technique and intensity are adapted to your examination findings, preferences, and comfort level.
 

Manual Therapy

Soft tissue techniques may help reduce muscular tension around the neck, shoulders, upper back, jaw, and base of the skull.
 

Exercise Rehabilitation

Exercise may help improve mobility, muscular endurance, and tolerance for work and daily activity.

Your program may include:

• Neck and upper-back mobility

• Deep neck flexor coordination

• Shoulder-blade strength and control

• Postural endurance

• Breathing and relaxation strategies

• Jaw relaxation exercises when appropriate

• Personalized home exercises
   

Ergonomic and Lifestyle Guidance

We may discuss practical strategies involving:

• Workstation positioning

• Screen and movement breaks

• Sleep positioning

• Hydration and regular meals

• Stress-management routines

• Exercise and recovery habits

• Tracking possible headache triggers
   

These recommendations are individualized and may complement care from your primary-care provider, neurologist, or other healthcare professional.
 

The Performance and Recovery Method

01 — Assess

We evaluate your headache pattern, neurological function, neck and upper-back mobility, jaw function, posture, and possible triggers.

02 — Treat

When appropriate, we use gentle chiropractic care, mobilization, manual therapy, and supportive strategies to improve movement and reduce associated tension.

03 — Strengthen

Progressive exercises help build mobility, endurance, coordination, and tolerance for work and daily activity.

04 — Maintain

Home exercises, ergonomic strategies, trigger awareness, digital resources, and periodic care may help you better manage recurring symptoms.
 

Working With Your Healthcare Team

Headaches and migraines may have multiple contributors. Depending on your history and symptoms, your care may involve coordination with:

• Primary-care providers

• Neurologists

• Dentists or TMJ specialists

• Physical therapists

• Eye-care professionals

• Mental health or stress-management professionals

We will recommend referral when your symptoms fall outside the appropriate scope of conservative musculoskeletal care.
 

When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention

Seek urgent medical evaluation for:

• A sudden, severe, or “worst-ever” headache

• A new headache after significant trauma

• Headache with weakness, facial drooping, confusion, or difficulty speaking

• New loss of balance or coordination

• Fever with severe neck stiffness

• New vision loss or double vision

• Seizure or loss of consciousness

• Headache during pregnancy with concerning symptoms

• A major change in your usual headache pattern

• Rapidly worsening or unexplained headaches

New or unusual neurological symptoms should not be assumed to come from the neck.
 

Start With a Comprehensive Assessment

A careful evaluation can help determine whether neck mobility, muscle tension, posture, jaw function, or other musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to your headaches—and whether chiropractic care, rehabilitation, medical referral, or coordinated care is most appropriate.
 

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Performance and Recovery Clinic
100 Elk Run Drive, Unit 220
Basalt, Colorado 81621

Serving Basalt, Carbondale, Aspen, Snowmass Village, Glenwood Springs, and the Roaring Fork Valley.