Headaches are one of the most common and debilitating conditions affecting Canadians. While most people reach for medication as a first response, many headaches — particularly tension-type and cervicogenic headaches — have a musculoskeletal origin that responds exceptionally well to chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and acupuncture.
What is Headaches & Migraines?
Not all headaches are the same. Understanding the type of headache you have is critical to effective treatment. Tension-type headaches — caused by muscle tightness and joint dysfunction — are the most common. Cervicogenic headaches originate from problems in the cervical spine (neck) and refer pain into the head. Migraines involve complex neurological changes and often have musculoskeletal triggers that can be identified and addressed.
Common Symptoms
- Pressure or tightening pain around the forehead, temples, or back of the head
- Pain that starts at the base of the skull and radiates forward (cervicogenic)
- Pulsating, throbbing headache often on one side (migraine)
- Headache triggered or worsened by neck movement or sustained posture
- Accompanying neck stiffness or shoulder tension
- Nausea, light sensitivity, or visual disturbances with migraines
- Headaches that occur frequently or have changed in character
Common Causes
- Cervical joint dysfunction at C1-C3 referring pain into the head
- Tight suboccipital, trapezius, and SCM muscles
- Poor posture and forward head position increasing cervical load
- TMJ (jaw) dysfunction
- Stress, poor sleep, and dehydration (common migraine triggers)
- Eye strain from prolonged screen use
- Dietary triggers in migraine sufferers
Treatments at Woodbridge Rehabilitation Centre
Our multidisciplinary team creates a personalized treatment plan based on your specific presentation, health history, and goals. The following therapies may be recommended individually or in combination.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Upper cervical chiropractic manipulation addresses the joint dysfunction that underlies most tension and cervicogenic headaches. Clinical evidence strongly supports chiropractic for reducing both headache frequency and intensity.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the most evidence-based treatments for chronic headache and migraine prevention. It modulates serotonin levels, reduces cervical muscle tension, and desensitizes overactive pain pathways.
Physiotherapy
Cervical stabilization exercises, deep neck flexor retraining, and postural correction address the mechanical factors driving tension and cervicogenic headaches.
Massage Therapy
Trigger point therapy and myofascial release in the neck, trapezius, suboccipital, and temporalis muscles provide significant relief from tension headaches and reduce migraine frequency.
Softwave Therapy
For chronic, stubborn headache disorders, Softwave therapy targets deep cervical structures and trigger points, reducing nerve sensitization and promoting lasting relief.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Book an assessment at Woodbridge Rehabilitation Centre in Vaughan, ON. Our team will evaluate your condition and design a personalized treatment plan.
Book Online Now Call 905-856-4444