Why You Keep Getting Headaches — And How to Finally Fix Them

One of the biggest drivers of recurring headaches is cervicogenic dysfunction — meaning the headache is actually coming from the neck.

This can happen when:

The joints of the upper neck become restricted
The surrounding muscles tighten or spasm
Nerves that supply the head become irritated
Poor movement patterns overload tissues day after day

Symptoms often include:

Headaches that start at the base of the skull
Pain that wraps around to the forehead or behind the eyes
Headaches triggered by sitting, driving, or screens
Neck stiffness or pain with certain movements
Relief when you stretch or massage the neck

If this sounds familiar, your headache may not be a “head problem” at all — it’s often a neck mechanics problem.

Why Medication Only Covers Things Up

Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and caffeine may help temporarily… but they don’t address the real issue.

They can’t:

Improve joint mobility
Reduce muscular trigger points
Correct dysfunctional movement patterns
Calm irritated nerves
Restore proper biomechanics

So the headache returns — sometimes worse than before.

If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of temporary relief followed by frustration, you’re not alone. That’s usually the point when patients reach out for help.

How Chiropractic Resolves Headaches at the Source

At Straight Up Chiropractic, I take a root-cause approach using three pillars:

1. Improve Joint Motion

Gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments restore movement in the joints of the neck and upper back. When joints stop moving well, the muscles guarding them tighten — a common reason headaches begin in the first place.

2. Decrease Muscle Tension + Trigger Points

Techniques like soft tissue therapy, myofascial release, and dry needling help calm irritated muscles that refer pain into the head.

3. Retrain Movement Patterns

Simple corrective exercises allow you to move more efficiently and reduce stress on the areas most likely to trigger headaches. These are short, easy routines you can do at home or at work.

Most patients notice relief quickly — often within the first few visits — and the long-term improvements are even more meaningful.

When Should You Seek Treatment for Headaches?

You don’t need to “wait it out.” You should get evaluated if:

Your headaches are returning weekly or monthly
You wake up with tension or pressure
Pain increases with work, stress, or certain positions
You feel tightness at the base of your skull
You’d prefer natural, non-medication solutions
Headaches affect your mood, energy, or productivity

Headaches are incredibly treatable — once you stop chasing symptoms and start addressing the dysfunction underneath.

The Bottom Line

Headaches aren’t random, and they’re not something you have to live with. When you understand why they’re happening, you finally get a clear path to fixing them — not just masking them.

At Straight Up Chiropractic, my goal is simple:
Help you get out of pain quickly and give you the tools to stay that way.