HEADACHES & MIGRAINES
Headache & Migraine Care in St. Louis Park, MN
Not all headaches are the same, and the care shouldn’t be either. Some start in the neck, some are tension patterns, some are migraines with their own rhythm. The type decides the plan, so that’s where we start.
Minnesota Monthly Best Chiropractor 2020–2026 · Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) · Veteran and Woman-owned
OUR APPROACH
Fewer Headache Days Starts With Knowing the Type
If you’re reaching for ibuprofen more days than not, it’s worth finding out what kind of headache you actually have.
We start with a detailed headache history: when they started, where they begin, what sets them off, what you’ve tried. Then we examine the neck, upper back, jaw and the muscles around them, because that’s where a large share of headaches are being fed from.
If your history points to something that needs medical evaluation, we’ll say so and coordinate with your doctor.
Dr. HeatherDC, MS, CCSP®
HEADACHE TYPES
The Headaches We Commonly See
Each type responds to different care. Here’s how we think about them.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Pain that starts at the base of the skull and changes with neck position or movement. These respond well to care directed at the neck.
Tension-Type Headaches
A band of pressure across the forehead or temples, often tied to stress, posture and tight muscles in the neck and jaw.
Migraines
Throbbing, often one-sided, sometimes with nausea or light sensitivity. We can reduce neck-related triggers; we work alongside your physician on the rest.
Post-Concussion & Post-Accident
Headaches that began after a crash or a hit. See Whiplash and Auto Accident & Injury Care.
Jaw-Related Headaches
Clenching, grinding and TMJ tension often show up as temple and side-of-head pain. Soft-tissue work for the jaw can be part of the plan.
Screen & Desk Headaches
The late-afternoon headache that builds with long days at a screen. Neck, upper back and setup all play a part.
Headaches with neck pain? Neck pain care → Tension headaches? Massage therapy → Headaches since a crash? Auto Accident & Injury Care →
HOW WE APPROACH IT
Treating What’s Feeding the Headache
The exam tells us whether your neck is involved: if moving or pressing on specific parts of the neck reproduces or eases your headache, that’s where we begin.
Depending on what we find, your plan may combine:
- Adjustments to the upper neck and upper back where joint motion is restricted.
- Active Release Techniques® and Graston Technique® for the suboccipital, neck and jaw muscles. Learn about ART®
- Massage therapy for tension-type and neck-related headaches. Learn about massage therapy
- Class 4 laser therapy when it fits your findings.
- Specific advice on screen setup, sleep position and the habits that keep the pattern going.
- Coordination with your physician when your history suggests a migraine disorder or something that needs medical evaluation.
WHEN TO SEE A PHYSICIAN FIRST
Some Headaches Need a Physician First
We screen for these on your first visit and will send you to the right place if we’re not it.
- The worst headache of your life, or one that comes on like a thunderclap.
- Headache with fever and a stiff neck, or after a head injury with vomiting or confusion.
- Headache with vision loss, weakness, numbness or trouble speaking.
- A new headache after age 50, or one that keeps getting worse over days.
If any of these apply, seek urgent care right away. We’ll be here afterward.
HEADACHE FAQ
Headache Questions, Answered
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Something else on your mind? Call (952) 920-9247.
Can a chiropractor help with migraines?
We can often reduce the neck and muscle tension that acts as a trigger, and that can mean fewer or milder episodes for some people. We don’t replace your physician’s migraine plan; we work alongside it.
How do you know my headache is coming from my neck?
The exam tells us. If reproducing or easing your headache by moving or pressing on specific parts of the neck changes it, the neck is involved.
Will I need to come in regularly forever?
No. The goal is to resolve the pattern and give you the tools to keep it resolved. Some people choose periodic wellness visits afterward; that’s a choice, not a requirement.
Does massage help headaches?
For tension-type and neck-related headaches, often yes. We offer massage therapy in the clinic and will tell you if it fits your plan.
Should I keep a headache diary?
Yes, even a simple one. Noting when headaches start, what you were doing, and what helped gives us patterns to work with at your first visit.
Do you take my insurance?
We verify benefits in the office before care starts, so you’ll know your costs up front. Auto accident and VA Community Care referrals are handled separately; see those pages.
RECOVER · PERFORM · KEEP GOING
Ready for Fewer Headache Days?
Schedule a visit at Excelsior & Grand Chiropractic in St. Louis Park, MN, serving Minneapolis, Edina, Golden Valley and Hopkins. We’ll start with your headache history and a thorough exam, then build a plan around what’s actually feeding them.
Questions first? Call (952) 920-9247.