Headache & Migraine Relief in Charlotte
Axiom Chiropractic provides specialized Gonstead chiropractic care for headache and migraine relief in Charlotte, targeting upper cervical misalignments that trigger tension and cervicogenic headaches. Dr. Tyler Hartley and Dr. Megan Hullihen use precise instrumentation and analysis to correct C1-C2 dysfunctions irritating the trigeminal and suboccipital nerves, delivering lasting relief without daily medications.
Understanding Headache & Migraine Causes
Tension headaches stem from C2-C3 facet restriction and suboccipital muscle spasm, while migraines often involve upper cervical sympathetic nerve irritation, creating vascular changes. Forward head posture stresses the craniocervical junction, compressing nerves that refer pain to the temples, forehead, and eyes.
Poor sleep posture and desk ergonomics compound mechanical triggers. Stress amplifies these patterns through muscle guarding that maintains nerve irritation even after emotional triggers resolve.
How Gonstead Chiropractic Resolves Headaches
Gonstead analysis excels at headache treatment through Nervoscope detection of C1-C2 temperature changes, indicating nerve interference. Specific atlas/axis corrections restore craniocervical motion while reducing dural tension on the trigeminal nerve.
Key Treatment Components:
C1-C2 Atlas Corrections
Relieve cervicogenic headaches
Suboccipital Release
Eliminates muscle trigger point referral
TMJ Decompression
Reduces jaw clenching headaches
Postural Retraining
Corrects forward head carriage
Cervical Curve Restoration
Prevents migraine recurrence
The Axiom Headache Recovery Process
Structured protocol progresses from acute relief through trigger elimination to prevention.
Initial phases focus on C1-C2 corrections to reduce immediate headache frequency. Later sessions address suboccipital and TMJ issues while introducing sleep posture training. Full cervical curve restoration confirmed by re-analysis.
Progress tracked via headache logs, cervical range of motion, and paraspinal inflammation reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractic stop chronic daily headaches?
Cervicogenic headaches respond best to upper cervical correction compared to medication dependency.
Will neck adjustments trigger headaches?
Not normally. Proper Gonstead C1 corrections reduce dural irritation. Post-care soreness affects some patients briefly.
Do I need an MRI/CT for headache evaluation?
No. Motion analysis, instrumentation, and sometimes X-rays are sufficient to figure out the underlying cause of headache pain in the vast majority of patients we see.
Why do my headaches start at the base of my skull?
Greater occipital nerve compression from C2 restriction. Atlas misalignment irritates this pathway, causing occipital-to-frontal referral.
Is headache relief different for tension vs. migraine?
Same cervical causes, different nerve pathways. Both resolve through C1-C2 correction, restoring normal biomechanics.