Many patients seek treatment when they are suffering from what they think are migraines. While often passed off as just a severe headache, your headache specialist will attest to the fact that a migraine is a complex neurological disease.

What Causes Migraines?

All human functioning is controlled by your brain. Data is sent to and from your brain and spinal cord via electrical signals using a network of nerve cells. Within each nerve cell, the signals are charged and sent along ion channels. When crossing from one nerve cell to another, the signal uses chemical neurotransmitters. Coordination of all this is done by the brain stem, which also helps control your breathing, heart rate, sleep cycles, and many other bodily functions.

A migraine can occur when some part of this communication network malfunctions, and can even be due to mutated genes. Because these genes can affect other areas of your body too, if you get migraines, you may also have epilepsy, strokes, anxiety, depression, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. There is even a headache-free type of migraine known as an acephalgic migraine.  This is how complex some migraines can be.

Tension Headache or Migraine?

If it feels like a headache, how can you tell if it is a migraine? Although some of their symptoms are similar, migraines have some specific symptoms and phases: 

Symptoms can occur in any combination and most common are:

  • Throbbing head pain
  • stops your usual activities
  • pain on only one side of the head, but can be both sides on occasion
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • sensitivity to light and/or sound
  • seeing spots
  • temporary vision loss.

About Migraines

Affecting one billion people worldwide, migraines are classified according to whether you experience an aura (sensations experienced pre-migraine) or not. Accordingly, migraines typically have three or four stages:

  1. Prodrome hours before a headache with subtle symptoms such as fatigue and yawning or irritability.
  2. Aura – brain fog, an odd sense of touch, taste, or smell, flashing lights – 10 – 30 minutes before the headache.
  3. Headache attack – which may include sensitivity to light and noise and nausea – lasting between 4 and 72 hours.
  4. Postdrome lasts a day or two and feels a bit like a hangover.

Common Migraine Triggers You Should Know

If you get migraines, you need to know your triggers. Many patients can reduce the number of migraine days each month by identifying patterns.

Common triggers include:

  • Poor sleep or inconsistent sleep

  • Dehydration

  • Skipped meals

  • Hormonal changes

  • High stress

  • Long hours on a phone or computer

One billion people worldwide experience migraines. Yet many never track what sets them off.

Start with a simple 30 day migraine journal. Write down:

  • Time the migraine starts

  • What you ate that day

  • How many hours you slept

  • Stress level from 1 to 10

  • Screen time

You may notice patterns within a few weeks. That gives you control and helps your provider build a targeted migraine treatment plan.

The Link Between Neck Problems and Migraines

Many people treat migraines as a brain only issue. But the upper neck plays a major role.

Your head weighs 10 to 12 pounds. For every inch your head shifts forward, the effective weight on your spine can increase by up to 10 pounds. That added strain affects discs, joints, and nerves in the cervical spine.

Forward head posture is common in adults who spend 6 to 10 hours per day on screens. Over time, that stress can irritate nerves that connect to the trigeminal system, which plays a role in migraine pain.

That is why many patients with chronic migraines also report:

  • Neck stiffness

  • Upper shoulder tension

  • Jaw tightness

  • Limited range of motion

If you are searching for migraine treatment near me, you should make sure the provider evaluates your cervical spine, not just your symptoms.

How We Diagnose the Root Cause of Your Migraines

At The Head and Neck Centers of Excellence, we focus on cause, not short term symptom control.

Your first visit includes:

  • A detailed health history

  • Posture analysis

  • Cervical spine evaluation

  • Imaging if clinically indicated

  • Functional nerve assessment

We look for structural shifts, disc stress, and loss of normal cervical curve. These findings often correlate with chronic migraine patterns.

Dr. Andrew Smith developed the A.S. Remodeling Protocol after treating thousands of patients with the triad of headaches, neck pain, and TMJ dysfunction. That experience shaped a non surgical migraine treatment approach that targets mechanical stress on the spine and nerves.

Non Surgical Migraine Treatment Options

Many patients rely on medication alone. Medication may reduce symptoms, but it does not correct structural stress in the neck.

Our non surgical migraine treatment options may include:

  • A.S. Remodeling Protocol

  • iTrac therapy to restore cervical curve

  • Targeted manual therapy

  • Corrective posture exercises

  • TMJ evaluation when needed

iTrac is an FDA cleared device designed to improve cervical alignment and reduce disc pressure. When the neck regains a healthier curve, pressure on sensitive nerves may decrease.

Some patients report fewer migraine days within the first several weeks of care. Results vary by individual, but structural correction gives your body a chance to function with less strain.

If you are looking for drug free migraine treatment, this approach focuses on improving biomechanics rather than increasing prescriptions.

When to See a Chronic Migraine Specialist

You should not ignore frequent migraines.

Consider seeing a chronic migraine specialist if you experience:

  • Headaches more than 4 days per month

  • Migraine attacks lasting longer than 24 hours

  • Missed work or family events

  • Increasing use of over the counter or prescription medication

  • Neck pain and migraines together

Chronic migraines can affect sleep, productivity, and mood. Over time, repeated nerve irritation may reinforce pain pathways in the brain.

Early intervention can reduce the long term impact on your quality of life.

Can Migraines Be Prevented?

Prevention starts with daily habits.

You can reduce mechanical stress on your neck by:

  • Keeping screens at eye level

  • Taking breaks every 30 to 60 minutes

  • Strengthening deep neck muscles

  • Sleeping 7 to 8 hours per night

  • Drinking at least 64 ounces of water daily

Posture correction plays a key role in migraine prevention. If your cervical spine loses its natural curve, muscles work harder to support your head. That added strain can contribute to neck pain and migraines.

A structured program that includes posture rehabilitation and spinal correction may reduce frequency and intensity over time.

Why Treating the Root Cause Matters

Migraines are complex neurological events. But structure still matters.

If your cervical spine is misaligned, nerves can remain under constant stress. You may manage symptoms temporarily, but the underlying issue continues.

Our approach addresses the physical stress contributing to headaches, TMJ and migraine treatment needs, and upper cervical tension.

You deserve more than temporary relief. You deserve a plan designed around your specific findings.

If you have been searching for migraine treatment near me and feel frustrated by recurring symptoms, schedule a consultation. We will evaluate your spine, review your history, and build a plan tailored to you.

Do not let migraines dictate your schedule. Take the next step toward a targeted, non surgical solution designed to address the source of your pain.

Treatment for Migraines

Because there are so many triggers and causes, your best course of action is to consult with a headache doctor to establish a program unique to your needs.

Don’t let migraines rob you of any more quality time. Contact The Head and Neck Centers of Excellence today for a headache treatment – be it a migraine or any other type of headache.