Headache Treatment in Garner, NC
Some headaches start in the neck. Pain that begins at the base of your skull and spreads forward, often worse on one side, and that certain neck movements or long hours at a desk bring on, may be coming from your neck rather than your head. This is called a cervicogenic headache. I'm Dr. Adam Seay, D.C. I examine your neck and upper back first, sort out which kind of headache you have, and build a plan around what I find. Call 919-662-0520 or tap Schedule Appointment above.
Emergencies first
Call 911 before you call any office for a sudden headache that is the worst you have ever had, or a headache with new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, a seizure, confusion, new double vision, severe loss of balance or a drooping eyelid, or a severe headache after a hard hit or fall. See a medical doctor promptly for a new headache after age 50, a headache with fever, a stiff neck, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer, a new headache during or after pregnancy, or one that keeps getting worse or feels different from your usual pattern.
Your first visit for headaches
Your first visit includes:
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The story of your headaches: where they start, how often they come, how long they last, and what brings them on
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Questions that sort out a neck headache from migraine, tension-type headache, jaw problems and headaches from overusing pain medicine
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A check of how your neck and upper back move, and whether a movement brings on your familiar headache
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Nerve and blood vessel screening when your history calls for it, plus a test of neck muscle control and endurance
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A written plan tied to what I find, with a re-exam date so progress is measured, not guessed
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A referral to your medical doctor or a headache specialist if your exam calls for it
Wear clothes you can move in, and bring a list of your medications, including how often you take pain relievers for headaches, and any imaging reports you already have.
What is causing your headaches?
The nerves from your upper neck and the nerves from your head feed into the same pathways, so a stiff or irritated joint or muscle in the upper neck can be felt as pain in the head. Signs that point to the neck: the pain starts at the base of the skull and moves forward, a neck movement or a long time in one position brings on your usual headache, and your neck doesn't turn as far as it should.
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Migraine and tension-type headaches are different. Migraine often throbs and comes with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. Tension-type headache feels like pressure or tightness, usually on both sides. Many people have more than one type at once, so I don't force every headache into a neck explanation. Getting the type right matters, because what helps one type doesn't automatically carry over to another.
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Your upper back matters too. When the mid-back stiffens, as it often does with desk work, the neck picks up motion that isn't its job, which is why I may treat your upper back when your head is what hurts. You probably don't need an X-ray or MRI to start. Imaging is useful when warning signs, an injury, or an unexpected response to care call for it.
Why See Seay Wellness for Headaches
Exam before treatment
You see Dr. Seay at every visit, from the first exam to discharge. Nothing is treated until the exam shows whether your neck is really part of the problem.
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Care matched to the cause
Depending on your exam, your plan may include chiropractic adjustments or gentler mobilization without a thrust, work on the upper back, soft-tissue care such as Active Release Technique, and exercises that build neck control, shoulder blade strength and endurance. Research on neck headaches most often pairs hands-on care with exercise, and the exercise is what usually holds the result.
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Measured progress
Headache days, average intensity, how long episodes last, how much pain medicine you use, and your neck motion are recorded at the start and again at re-exam, often near four weeks, so you can see the change in numbers.
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Straight answers
If your exam points to migraine, another headache type, or something that needs a medical doctor, I'll tell you and refer you.
Questions About Headaches
Q: Do I need a referral?
A: No. You can book directly by calling 919-662-0520 or through Schedule Appointment at the top of this page.
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Q: Can a chiropractor help headaches?
A: For headaches that come from the neck, current chiropractic guidelines support offering spinal manipulation to adults who have been screened first, and the research most often pairs it with exercise. Gentler mobilization without a thrust is an option if you prefer it. A neck-focused plan alone usually falls short for migraine, so if your pattern points that way, I'll tell you and help you get the right care.
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Q: Is a neck adjustment safe?
A: Neck manipulation has been associated with a tear in a neck artery, but research has not shown that it causes one. A tear that is already forming causes neck pain and headache on its own, so people often seek care for it, and one large study found the same link with visits to a medical doctor. National stroke guidance says you should be told about this, so I tell you. Before any neck adjustment, let me know if you take blood thinners, have a blood vessel or connective tissue disorder, or have any new neurologic symptoms. Gentler options without a thrust are always available.
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Q: How soon should I notice a change?
A: It varies. Progress rarely arrives all at once. It usually shows up as fewer headache days, shorter or milder episodes, or less need for pain medicine, and driving or desk work often gets easier first. I recheck near the four-week mark, keep what is working, and change what isn't.