Chronic headaches and migraines can make it hard to focus, sleep, or simply enjoy your day. At Woodroof Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Olathe, we see many patients who have been living with ongoing neck pain and headache symptoms for years—just like Ashley, who came to our office seeking long-term relief after struggling with cervicogenic headaches since 2013.

Understanding the Source of Headaches

Many headaches don’t actually start in the head—they begin in the neck. When the upper cervical spine (C1 through C7) loses proper joint motion, it can irritate surrounding muscles and nerves. This irritation often leads to cervicogenic headaches, a type of headache that originates from the neck and radiates into the head or behind the eyes. In Ashley’s case, mild facet joint irritation was identified at the C6/C7 level, a common site for chronic tension and migraine-type headaches.

Common symptoms of cervicogenic and tension-type headaches include:

Pain starting at the base of the skull or behind the eyes
Stiffness or tightness in the upper neck and shoulders
Headache intensity that increases with stress or poor posture
Limited neck mobility

Chiropractic Approach to Headache and Migraine Relief

At Woodroof Chiropractic & Acupuncture, our treatment for chronic headaches focuses on restoring proper joint movement, reducing muscle tension, and improving spinal alignment. Ashley’s care plan included:

Chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine (C1, C7, and T1) to correct spinal misalignments.
Long-axis distraction and decompression therapy to reduce pressure on the cervical facet joints.
Intersegmental traction therapy to relax muscles and promote better motion between vertebrae.
Home-based stretches and strengthening exercises designed to improve posture and prevent recurrence.

After several weeks of treatment, Ashley’s pain scores improved from 7/10 down to 0/10, and she reported fewer headaches, less tension, and better overall stress tolerance.

Supporting Recovery Beyond the Adjustment

Lifestyle and nutrition can play a major role in headache prevention. Dr. Woodroof often recommends evidence-based supplements that support brain and muscle recovery, including:

Creatine monohydrate — shown in research to help decrease the intensity and frequency of all types of headaches when taken daily over several months.
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA) — beneficial for reducing inflammation and tension-type headaches.
Topical essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus applied to the temples and neck can help relax tight muscles and ease pain naturally.

A Personalized Path to Pain-Free Living

If you’ve been living with migraines or chronic neck pain that hasn’t responded to medication, chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, long-term solution. Each treatment plan at Woodroof Chiropractic & Acupuncture is customized to address your specific spinal findings, posture, and lifestyle habits.

Ashley’s case demonstrates that when joint motion is restored and tension is relieved at the cervical spine, the frequency and intensity of headaches can dramatically decrease—often within just a few weeks of care.

Get Relief from Headaches and Neck Pain in Olathe

If you’re searching for a chiropractor in Olathe who specializes in headaches, migraines, and neck pain, Dr. Ike Woodroof and his team are here to help you find lasting relief.