Migraine & Headache Relief in College Station, TX

One of the first things we educate new patients about is the difference between a true migraine and what’s known as a cervicogenic (from the neck) headache. A true migraine will usually be pulsating in nature and can be accompanied by light sensitivity, nausea, and at times visual disturbances that can precede a migraine. A cervicogenic headache actually stems from the neck and can occur due to stiff or restricted joints in the neck, especially close to the skull, causing pain to refer upwards into the head.

We also regularly see people who are convinced they have migraines, usually because they have a family member who does, or they’ve read about their symptoms online. However, when we examine them and look at their mobility and posture, we often find limited movement in their upper neck causing pain that feels a lot like a migraine.

These two types of pain both can respond well to care of the nervous system, but the path of care is different based on the driver of pain.

We are strong believers in you not having to take our word for anything. Before any adjustment, we start with a real exam, not a quick look and a crack.

That starts with your history: when the headaches started, what makes them better or worse, and what may be contributing to them. From there, we move into a physical exam that includes range-of-motion testing, orthopedic tests, neurologic testing when appropriate, and palpation, to find exactly where movement is restricted and reproduce the pattern behind your pain. When X-rays are clinically indicated, they add another layer of structural information on top of that exam, showing where alignment or stress in the cervical spine may be contributing.

About 90% of the time, this combination turns up a measurable issue at the top of the neck connected to headache pain. Once we have that full picture, exam and imaging together, we’ll walk you through exactly what we found and what we recommend, rather than treating based on assumptions.

Every visit follows the same three-step process, in that order, because each step serves a different purpose.

• Prime: We start with guided diaphragmatic breathing to settle your nervous system before anything else happens. A tense body doesn’t adjust well, so this comes first.
• Facilitate: This is the adjustment itself, a specific, targeted correction based on your exam and X-rays, using primarily the Diversified Technique, with the Activator or Upper Cervical Drop used as needed.
• Integrate: Rather than sending you straight from stillness to activity, we ease you back into movement gently. From there, the real integration happens over the days that follow, as your body adapts to the adjustment through your normal daily movement, not from sitting still in the office.

Nine times out of ten, when a headache is connected to the neck, we find restriction at the same one or two bones in the upper neck, which is why a precise, targeted approach matters more than a generic adjustment.

When you come in as a new patient, we’ll tell you pretty much the same thing: migraines are different for everyone, and so is the right care. A young mother may have tension in the upper neck requiring a certain type of adjustment, whereas a construction worker may have years of wear in the lower cervical requiring another. This is why it’s important Dr. Hansen reviews your exam findings, X-rays, medical history, and posture before deciding on the best way to help you.

Instead of guessing at the problem based on where you tell us it hurts, we start with a hands-on exam to check your neck’s mobility and find where movement is restricted, then use on-site digital X-rays to confirm what’s under stress structurally. From there, we choose the technique that actually fits what we found:

• Segments associated with headache patterns receive hands-on care with Diversified Technique, a specific adjustment most commonly used by the practitioner.
• Activator is an instrument-based technique used for patients that require a more gentle form of treatment.
• The Upper Cervical Drop focuses on the top of the neck, an area of great tension during a migraine.
• Webster Technique, ICPA certified, is used for pregnant patients who are having headaches and other associated symptoms.

The way you experience a migraine is unique to you. Some people’s migraines start at the base of the skull, some with a tense jaw, some in the shoulders, and these all respond to treatment differently. We choose the most appropriate technique based on your exam findings and personal history, not on what’s quicker or easier for us.

Most migraines and tension headaches build up gradually and feel painful in a familiar way, exactly what we’re set up to help with. But a few warning signs mean you need a doctor or the ER first, not a chiropractic appointment:

• A sudden, severe headache that comes on within seconds and feels like the worst headache of your life
• Sudden trouble talking, slurred speech, confusion, or vision problems along with a headache
• A headache after a fall or blow to the head, especially with vomiting
• Loss of feeling or weakness on one side of your body, happening at the same time as a headache
• A stiff neck and fever along with the headache
• A new, different type of headache than you’ve had before, especially if you’re over 50

If any of these apply to you, call 911 or get to an ER right away rather than waiting for an appointment. Once that’s ruled out, we’re glad to help with the recurring migraines and tension headaches we see every week.

How do I know if my headaches are migraines or something else?

The best way to know is a hands-on exam of your neck and posture, since many headaches that feel like migraines actually start there. A true migraine tends to pulse and often comes with light sensitivity or nausea. A cervicogenic headache comes from stiff joints near the base of your skull. Combined with a quick digital X-ray in our College Station office, we can see which one is really driving your pain, so you get the right kind of care.

What happens during my first visit for headache relief?

Your first visit starts with a hands-on exam of your neck’s mobility and posture, plus digital X-rays, before any adjustment happens. We want to see what’s actually going on instead of guessing. About 90% of the time we find measurable issues at the top of the neck connected to headache pain. Once we have that picture, we’ll walk you through it and talk about a realistic plan that fits your specific situation.

Will I get adjusted on my very first visit?

Not right away, and that’s on purpose. We do a thorough exam and take X-rays first, so your adjustment is based on real findings, not assumptions. Many patients expect to be adjusted right away, but observation matters first. Once we understand your alignment and movement patterns, we’ll explain what we found and discuss the next steps together before any hands-on care begins.

How does chiropractic care help with migraines?

Chiropractic care helps by relieving pressure on nerves where your neck meets your skull, which is a common source of migraine-like pain. Our Prime, Facilitate, Integrate process starts with breathing to calm your nervous system, follows with a precise adjustment based on your exam and X-ray findings, and eases you back into movement afterward rather than rushing you out the door.

Can stress alone cause my recurring headaches?

Stress alone rarely explains recurring headaches once we take a closer look. Many patients come in assuming stress is the cause, but a hands-on exam and X-rays often reveal structural issues in the neck instead. Nine times out of ten, we find restriction at the same one or two bones near the top of the spine. Identifying that specific area lets us target treatment instead of just managing stress symptoms.

Is chiropractic treatment for headaches the same for every patient in College Station?

No, your treatment is matched to your body, not a one-size-fits-all routine. A young mother with upper neck tension needs a different approach than a construction worker with years of lower cervical wear. We choose from techniques like Diversified, Activator, or Upper Cervical Drop based on your exam and X-ray findings, so your care fits your specific posture, job demands, and headache pattern.