Headache Relief in Vero Beach
Headaches can interfere with every aspect of daily life—from work and family time to sleep and exercise. While occasional headaches are common, frequent or persistent headaches shouldn't be ignored.
At Spinal Health Center, Dr. Brittney Hughes provides comprehensive evaluations to determine whether your headaches may be related to the muscles, joints, nerves, or posture of your neck and upper back. Rather than simply masking symptoms, our goal is to identify contributing factors and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you find lasting relief.
Common Types of Headaches
We commonly evaluate patients experiencing:
- Tension headaches
- Cervicogenic headaches (headaches originating from the neck)
- Migraine headaches
- Headaches after a car accident
- Headaches associated with poor posture
- Headaches related to muscle tension
- Occipital headaches (pain at the base of the skull)
Some headaches may have medical causes that require evaluation by another healthcare provider. During your examination, Dr. Hughes will determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition.
Common Symptoms
- Pain at the base of the skull
- Tightness in the neck and shoulders
- Pain behind the eyes
- Forehead pain
- Pressure around the head
- Throbbing pain
- Neck stiffness
- Light sensitivity
- Sound sensitivity
- Nausea (commonly associated with migraines)
- Pain with neck movement
- Reduced range of motion
Common Causes of Headaches
Headaches can develop for many different reasons, including:
- Poor posture
- Text neck
- Muscle tension
- Joint dysfunction in the neck
- Stress
- Auto accident injuries
- Whiplash
- Cervical disc injuries
- TMJ dysfunction
- Eye strain
- Dehydration
- Sleep disturbances
A thorough evaluation helps determine whether your headaches are related to musculoskeletal dysfunction or whether additional medical evaluation is needed.
Our Comprehensive Evaluation
Every patient receives a detailed examination before treatment begins.
Your evaluation may include:
- Complete health history
- Headache history and symptom review
- Neurological examination
- Orthopedic examination
- Cervical spine evaluation
- Range of motion testing
- Muscle strength testing
- Postural assessment
- Functional movement evaluation
If your symptoms suggest additional testing is appropriate, Dr. Hughes may recommend imaging or referral to another healthcare provider.
Personalized Treatment Options
Treatment recommendations are based on your diagnosis and may include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Gentle cervical mobilization
- Myofascial release
- Soft tissue therapy
- Therapeutic exercises
- Stretching program
- Postural correction
- Ergonomic education
- Kinesiology taping
- Electrical muscle stimulation (E-Stim)
- Home exercise recommendations
Our goal is to improve movement, reduce muscle tension, and address the underlying factors contributing to your headaches.
Why Choose Spinal Health Center
Comprehensive headache evaluations
One-on-one care with Dr. Brittney Hughes
Evidence-based chiropractic treatment
Personalized rehabilitation plans
Gentle and traditional adjusting techniques
Collaboration with primary care providers and specialists when appropriate
Focus on identifying the underlying cause—not simply treating symptoms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractic help headaches?
Yes. Chiropractic care may help certain types of headaches, particularly tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches that are related to dysfunction of the neck, muscles, or joints. Following a comprehensive examination, Dr. Hughes will determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your specific condition.
Can chiropractic help migraines?
Some people with migraines find that chiropractic care helps reduce musculoskeletal factors that may contribute to their symptoms, such as neck stiffness or muscle tension. Because migraines can have multiple triggers, treatment is individualized and may be coordinated with your primary care provider or neurologist when appropriate.
What is a cervicogenic headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a headache that originates from structures in the neck, such as the joints, muscles, or ligaments. These headaches often begin at the base of the skull and may radiate toward the forehead, temples, or behind the eyes. Improving neck mobility and reducing muscle tension may help relieve these headaches.
Why do I wake up with headaches?
Morning headaches may be related to poor sleeping posture, muscle tension, TMJ dysfunction, sleep disorders, dehydration, or cervical joint dysfunction. During your examination, Dr. Hughes will evaluate potential contributing factors and recommend appropriate treatment or referral if needed.
Can poor posture cause headaches?
Yes. Spending long hours looking down at phones, tablets, or computers can increase stress on the muscles and joints of the neck, leading to tension and cervicogenic headaches. Improving posture is often an important part of treatment.
Will I need imaging?
Not everyone requires imaging. Many headache conditions can be evaluated through a detailed history and physical examination. If your symptoms or examination findings suggest that imaging is appropriate, Dr. Hughes will explain the reason and coordinate the appropriate referral.
How many visits will I need?
Treatment recommendations depend on the type of headache, how frequently they occur, how long you've had symptoms, and how you respond to care. After your examination, Dr. Hughes will discuss her findings and recommend a personalized treatment plan.
When should I seek emergency medical care for a headache?
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden, severe "worst headache of your life," headache after significant trauma, headache accompanied by fever and stiff neck, confusion, difficulty speaking, vision loss, weakness, numbness, seizures, or loss of consciousness. These symptoms require urgent medical evaluation.
Schedule Your Headache Evaluation
You don't have to let headaches control your life. Whether you're dealing with tension headaches, migraines, headaches after a car accident, or pain that starts in your neck, Dr. Brittney Hughes is committed to identifying the source of your symptoms and creating a personalized treatment plan to help you feel your best.
Schedule your headache evaluation today at Spinal Health Center and take the first step toward lasting relief.
