Targeted relief for headaches and migraines
Headache and migraine chiropractic care addresses mechanical and neurological factors contributing to head pain in Mississauga and Markham. Chiropractors at Revibe examine cervical spine alignment, muscle tension patterns, and postural dysfunction that trigger or maintain headache episodes. Treatment applies controlled spinal adjustments, soft tissue techniques, and corrective exercises to reduce headache frequency and intensity. This hands-on approach targets underlying mechanical causes rather than temporarily masking symptoms.
What Are Headaches and Migraines
Headaches create discomfort ranging from dull pressure to intense, throbbing pain. Tension headaches present as steady aches or tightness around the head. Migraines bring sharper pain accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, or visual disturbances like auras. Pressure builds behind the eyes, pain radiates down the neck and into the shoulders, and sound sensitivity becomes overwhelming during migraine episodes.
Neck tension and upper back stiffness contribute to headache patterns. Hours hunched over a desk create muscle imbalances. Poor posture while using devices strains the cervical spine. Tight muscles in the shoulders and base of the skull generate pressure that travels upward into the head. These symptoms disrupt work, interrupt sleep, and make routine tasks challenging.
Treatment Approach
Chiropractic approaches target mechanical and neurological factors contributing to headache patterns. Treatment plans combine spinal manipulation, soft tissue techniques, postural correction, and ergonomic guidance based on examination findings. Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes and include detailed assessment of spinal alignment, cervical mobility, and muscle tension patterns. Chiropractors use physical examination and orthopedic testing to identify restrictions contributing to headaches.
Who Can Benefit?
Chiropractic care addresses headaches from various causes including cervicogenic headaches, tension-type headaches, migraines, and occipital neuralgia. The treatment works for office workers experiencing desk-related tension, people with recurring headache patterns, migraine sufferers seeking additional management options, and individuals preferring non-medication approaches. Athletes and active individuals benefit when addressing sport-specific strain patterns.
Types of Headaches Addressed Through Chiropractic Care
Our chiropractors at Revibe use spinal adjustments and manual therapy to address various headache types affecting the neck, spine, and musculoskeletal system.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate from neck structures including joints, discs, or soft tissues. Pain starts at the skull base and radiates forward. One side hurts more than the other. Neck movement or sustained postures worsen the pain. Cervical spine adjustments and soft tissue work target the neck and upper shoulders to restore proper mechanics and reduce nerve irritation.
Common scenarios:Office workers with one-sided head pain, individuals whose headaches worsen with neck movement, patients experiencing skull base pain radiating forward.
Tension-Type Headaches
Tension headaches create band-like pressure around the head. Muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders, and scalp contributes to symptoms. Stress, poor posture, and jaw clenching exacerbate the condition. Spinal adjustments combine with muscle release techniques and postural corrections to address the mechanical sources of tension headache patterns.
Common scenarios:Desk workers with band-like head pressure, individuals experiencing stress-related headaches, patients with jaw clenching and neck tension.
Migraines
Migraines bring intense, one-sided throbbing pain lasting hours to days. Nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, or smells accompany the pain. Auras including visual disturbances like flashing lights or blind spots occur before pain onset in some cases. Neck tension and upper cervical dysfunction contribute to migraine frequency and severity. Chiropractic care addresses these mechanical factors.
Common scenarios:Chronic migraine sufferers seeking non-medication options, patients with migraines accompanied by neck stiffness, individuals experiencing auras before migraine onset.
Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital neuralgia involves irritation of the occipital nerves running from the upper neck through the scalp. Sharp, electric, or shooting pain travels from the skull base upward. Scalp tenderness develops in affected areas. Upper cervical adjustments and soft tissue techniques target the suboccipital region to address nerve compression and reduce pain intensity.
Common scenarios:Patients with sharp, shooting pain at the skull base, individuals experiencing scalp tenderness, those with electric-like pain traveling up the head.
Common Triggers for Headaches and Migraines
Headaches and migraines develop from multiple factors, combining in ways unique to each person. Understanding triggers helps identify patterns and prevent episodes.
Lifestyle factors include extended screen time without breaks straining eye muscles and neck structures. Stress accumulates in the shoulders and jaw. Sleep disruption whether insufficient, excessive, or irregular precedes headache episodes. Skipped meals cause blood sugar fluctuations. Dehydration reduces blood volume and oxygen delivery to the brain.
Musculoskeletal contributions involve cervical spine restrictions limiting normal head and neck movement. Muscle tightness in the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and suboccipital muscles creates pressure points. Minor misalignments in the upper cervical vertebrae alter nerve signals. Forward head posture from prolonged sitting shifts the skull's center of gravity, forcing muscles to work harder to maintain position.
Environmental and activity patterns include bright lights or flickering screens provoking migraines in photosensitive individuals. Strong odors or sudden weather changes act as triggers. Overexertion during physical activity strains neck structures, particularly with poor form.
Dietary considerations involve certain foods triggering migraines including aged cheeses, processed meats containing nitrates, artificial sweeteners, alcohol particularly red wine, and caffeine. Both excess caffeine intake and sudden withdrawal can trigger symptoms. Meal timing affects headache frequency.
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How Chiropractic Care Addresses Headaches and Migraines
Chiropractic approaches target mechanical and neurological factors contributing to headache patterns. Treatment plans combine several techniques based on examination findings and individual presentation:
Chiropractors perform controlled, targeted movements to restore normal motion in restricted spinal segments. Upper cervical adjustments address the atlas and axis vertebrae, which influence nerve pathways between the brain and body. Mid-cervical adjustments restore mobility in vertebrae where muscles attach and nerves exit. Thoracic spine adjustments address upper back restrictions that alter shoulder and neck mechanics. Techniques include high-velocity low-amplitude thrusts, activator methods using spring-loaded instruments, drop-table techniques, and flexion-distraction for disc-related issues.
Muscle tension perpetuates many headache patterns. Manual therapy addresses tightness in key areas including the suboccipital muscles at the skull base, upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, and scalene muscles. Techniques include myofascial release applying sustained pressure to fascial restrictions, trigger point therapy targeting specific pain-generating points, active release combining movement with pressure, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization using tools to break up adhesions.
Forward head posture shifts the skull's weight center, forcing neck muscles to work against gravity. Rounded shoulders pull on neck attachments. Uneven hip alignment creates compensatory patterns traveling up the spine. Chiropractors assess standing posture, sitting mechanics, and movement patterns. Corrections address the full kinetic chain including feet, knees, hips, spine, shoulders, and head positions. Exercises strengthen weak postural muscles while stretching tight ones.
Workstation setup impacts neck health. Monitor height and distance, chair adjustments, keyboard placement, and lighting all affect cervical spine positioning. Chiropractors provide specific recommendations for desk workers, drivers, and people with physically demanding jobs. Proper ergonomics reduce mechanical stress on structures contributing to headache patterns.
What to Expect During Your Chiropractic Visit
Initial Consultation and History: The first appointment includes detailed questions about headache onset, frequency, pain quality, location, and spread patterns. Activities, stress, and food correlations receive attention. Previous treatments, medications tried, imaging results, and other health conditions provide relevant information.
Physical Examination: Posture analysis identifies forward head position, shoulder asymmetry, and spinal curvature. Range of motion testing reveals restrictions in neck rotation, side-bending, flexion, and extension. Orthopedic tests assess specific structures and reproduce symptomatic patterns. Neurological screening checks reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength. Palpation identifies tender areas, muscle tightness, and joint restrictions. Additional tests may include cervical compression tests, vertebral artery testing, and muscle length assessments.
Treatment Plan Discussion: Examination findings determine which structures contribute to headaches. The plan outlines adjustment techniques, soft tissue work, exercise or stretching programs, treatment frequency, and timeline for improvement.
Treatment Session: Initial treatments begin conservatively. Adjustments address restricted spinal segments, starting with the upper cervical and thoracic regions. Soft tissue techniques address tight muscles. Instructions for home stretches or exercises accompany treatment. First adjustments occasionally cause mild soreness similar to post-workout stiffness, typically resolving within 24-48 hours.
Follow-Up Care: Treatment frequency depends on headache severity and chronicity. Acute episodes may require 2-3 visits weekly initially, decreasing as symptoms improve. Chronic patterns need consistent care weekly then biweekly to establish lasting changes. Maintenance visits monthly or quarterly help prevent recurrence. Each follow-up includes reassessment of headache frequency, pain intensity, and duration.
Self-Care Between Chiropractic Visits
Activities between appointments impact treatment success. Specific practices help maintain improvements and prevent headache recurrence.
Posture awareness: Check your position throughout the day. Ears should align over shoulders, shoulders over hips. When sitting, feet rest flat on the floor. Monitor height places the screen top at eye level. Take regular breaks to stand, stretch, and move.
Stress management: Stress directly increases muscle tension. Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, exercise, hobbies, and time in nature reduce stress levels that contribute to headache patterns.
Sleep hygiene: Quality sleep reduces headache frequency. Maintain consistent sleep and wake times, including weekends. Create a dark, cool, quiet bedroom. Avoid screens 1-2 hours before bed. Use a supportive pillow maintaining neutral neck alignment.
Stretching and Strengthening
• Upper trapezius stretch: tilt head away from tight side, hold 30 seconds
• Levator scapulae stretch: look down toward opposite hip, hold
• Chin tucks: pull head straight back, creating double chin, hold 5 seconds
• Doorway pec stretch: open chest muscles pulling shoulders forward
• Deep neck flexor strengthening addresses forward head posture
• Scapular retraction exercises strengthen upper back muscles
Perform stretches 2-3 times daily, particularly after prolonged sitting.Heat, Ice, and Hydration
• Ice reduces acute inflammation and muscle spasm during episodes
• Heat relaxes tight muscles and improves circulation for chronic tension
• Apply ice for 15 minutes every 2-3 hours during acute episodes
• Dehydration triggers headaches, maintain adequate water intake
• Identify and avoid dietary triggers like aged cheese, processed meats
• Maintain regular meal timing to stabilize blood sugar levels
Treatment Frequency and Duration
Treatment frequency varies based on several factors including chronicity, severity, and individual response.
Acute headache episodes: Immediate treatment focuses on reducing acute symptoms. Daily or every-other-day visits for 3-7 days can break the pain cycle. Adjustments restore mobility, soft tissue work releases tension, and guidance on ice/heat application aids home management.
Chronic headache patterns: Long-standing headache patterns require consistent care to create lasting change. Initial phases typically involve 2-3 weekly visits for 4-6 weeks. This frequency allows adjustments to compound with each visit building on previous improvements. As symptoms improve, frequency decreases to weekly for several weeks, then biweekly.
Maintenance care: After achieving improvement, many people continue periodic visits to maintain progress. Monthly or quarterly appointments catch developing tensions before they trigger full headache episodes.
Most patients notice improvement within 2-4 weeks with 6-12 visits. Chronic headaches may require 8-12 weeks of consistent care. Chiropractors adjust frequency based on progress and modify techniques when needed to optimize results.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Certain symptoms require urgent evaluation. Seek emergency care for sudden, severe headache unlike any previous (thunderclap headache), headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, vision changes, difficulty speaking, or weakness, headache following head injury, headache with seizures, progressively worsening headaches over days or weeks, first severe headache after age 50, or headache with exertion, coughing, or sexual activity.
These symptoms may indicate serious conditions requiring immediate medical evaluation including aneurysm, stroke, meningitis, or brain tumors.
Schedule a medical appointment for sudden changes in headache pattern or frequency, headaches worsening despite treatment, new headaches developing with no clear cause, headaches requiring increasing medication doses, or headaches interfering with work or daily function despite conservative care.
Chiropractors coordinate with physicians when medical evaluation becomes necessary and work within an integrated healthcare approach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Headache and Migraine Chiropractic
Most patients notice improvement within 2-4 weeks with 6-12 visits. Chronic headaches may require 8-12 weeks of consistent care. Response varies based on condition chronicity, severity, and individual healing response.
Chiropractic care addresses mechanical factors contributing to migraines. Research shows modest but meaningful benefits in reducing migraine frequency and intensity. Treatment works particularly well when neck tension and upper cervical dysfunction contribute to migraine patterns.
Most patients experience no pain during adjustments. You may feel pressure or hear audible releases, but practitioners adjust technique intensity to your tolerance. Mild soreness similar to post-workout stiffness may occur for 24-48 hours after treatment as joints adapt.
Chiropractic care complements medication. Many patients reduce medication usage as mechanical issues improve. The approaches work together with medication providing acute relief while chiropractic care addresses underlying mechanical causes and frequency.
Cervicogenic headaches originate from neck structures with one-sided pain worsened by neck movement. Migraines involve neurological symptoms like auras, nausea, and extreme light sensitivity. Cervicogenic headaches respond particularly well to chiropractic treatment targeting neck mechanics.
Many patients experience reduced headache intensity within 1-2 weeks. Frequency improvements typically occur over 4-6 weeks of consistent treatment. Individual response varies based on condition chronicity and contributing factors.
Forward head posture creates muscle tension that triggers headaches. Each inch of forward tilt adds significant stress to neck structures. Extended screen time and poor ergonomics contribute to postural dysfunction. Correcting posture through adjustments and exercises reduces headache frequency.
Most extended health plans in Ontario cover chiropractic care. Coverage varies by provider and plan limits. Revibe offers direct billing for accepted plans and provides receipts for insurance submission. Verify specific plan details regarding chiropractic coverage limits.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows practitioners to assess movement and perform adjustments. Athletic wear or casual clothing accommodates treatment procedures. Gowns are available when needed for specific assessments.
No referral required. You can book directly with our Mississauga or Markham chiropractors. However, bringing medical imaging reports or diagnoses helps practitioners understand your condition better and coordinate care with your healthcare team.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Dr. Morgan is fantastic! He is not only skilled in chiropractic care, but also very friendly and put me at ease throughout the entire process. He take the time to listen to my concerns and create a personalized treatment plan that addresses my specific needs. The adjustments are gentle yet effective, and the stretched and exercises recommended helped me maintain my progress between appointments. I visit Dr. Morgan with my husband once every 4-5 weeks and we enjoy our session with Dr. Morgan.
I’ve been seeing Dr. Trevor for the past few months for chiropractic care, and it’s been a great experience. He’s professional, friendly, and truly attentive. My back and neck pain have noticeably improved, and I always leave feeling better. Highly recommend him if you’re looking for genuine and effective care!
I’ve been seeing Dr. Morgan for chiropractic sessions over the past three years, and he’s been such a huge support in helping me manage my back pain and TMJ issues. You’ll truly be taken care of here. Highly recommend booking a visit if you’re in the GTA area!
I had an amazing experience with Dr. Trevor! From the moment I walked in, he was professional, welcoming, and clearly knew exactly what he was doing. I came in with pain and discomfort in my back, and after just one session, I felt such a huge difference. Dr. Trevor was super patient and took the time to show me exercises to ease my pain. He also did follow ups to make sure I was ok. I highly recommend Revibe and Dr. Trevor for all your chiro need and if you are looking for quick results !
Book Your Appointment in Mississauga, Markham or Burlington
Revibe operates clinics in Mississauga (serving Streetsville, Erin Mills, Meadowvale, and surrounding areas) and Markham (serving Unionville, Thornhill, Buttonville, and surrounding areas). Both locations provide comprehensive assessment and treatment services for your health and wellness needs.
Mississauga Clinic
Location: 2290 Dixie Rd, Mississauga, ON L4Y 1Z4
Phone: 905-783-8423
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm
New patient visits include comprehensive assessment and first treatment session (75 minutes). Bring previous imaging reports, medical diagnoses, and lists of current symptoms. Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to treatment areas.
Serving: Streetsville, Erin Mills, Meadowvale, Churchill Meadows, Lorne Park, Port Credit, Clarkson, and surrounding Mississauga neighborhoods. Convenient access from Highway 403, QEW, and Erin Mills Parkway.
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Markham Clinic
Location: 220 Torbay Rd, Markham ON, L3R 1G6
Phone: 905-783-8423
Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm
Insurance coverage varies by provider. Extended health plans often include manual therapy and wellness services. Direct billing available for plans that Revibe accepts. Receipts provided for insurance submission or tax purposes.
Serving: Unionville, Thornhill, Markham Village, Buttonville, Milliken, Cornell, Angus Glen, and surrounding Markham and Richmond Hill areas. Easy access from Highway 7, Highway 404, and Major Mackenzie Drive.
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Burlington Clinic
Coming Soon
We're excited to announce that our Burlington location will be opening soon. Stay tuned for updates on our new clinic serving the Burlington, Oakville, and surrounding areas.
