Get Your Free Headaches Report!
Are You Suffering With Headaches ?
If you’re dealing with headaches or chronic headaches, it’s very tempting to think it’s nothing—that it’ll just go away on its own. Or you might dismiss it as stress, lack of sleep, or assume it’s just something that “everyone your age” experiences from time to time…
There’s no clear reason why they started, or maybe they appear gradually after long hours at a computer, tension in your neck and shoulders, or even stress—but the pain just keeps coming back.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and we hear this all the time. Tension Headaches, Migraine, and Cervicogenic Headaches are among the most common problems we help people with in our physical therapy clinic here in Oklahoma City, OK .
Click The Video Below To Learn How We Can Help Fix Your Headaches!
What Are Headaches?
Headaches are one of the most common and disruptive conditions people experience, and at Taylor Physical Therapy, we see them every day. While headaches can have many different causes, a large number of the patients who come into our clinic are dealing with pain that is closely connected to the neck and upper cervical spine. These headaches often develop gradually, starting as tension or tightness at the base of the skull and radiating upward into the head, forehead, temples, or even behind the eyes.
Many people are familiar with migraine headaches, sinus headaches, and tension headaches, but fewer realize that the neck can be a major contributor. When the joints, discs, or muscles in the upper cervical spine become irritated, stiff, or compressed, the pain often refers upward into the head. These are known as cervicogenic headaches, and they commonly present on one side of the head or eye. People may describe a throbbing or steady ache that worsens with certain neck movements or after long periods of sitting, reading, or working at a computer.
Because the cervical spine plays such an important role in posture, movement, and nerve signaling, even mild dysfunction can lead to recurring headaches that interfere with work, sleep, and daily activities.
What Are The Symptoms Of Headaches?
Headache symptoms vary widely depending on the source, but when the neck is involved, common patterns include:
- Pain at the base of the skull that travels upward into the head
- One-sided headaches, especially around the eye, forehead, or temple
- Tightness and stiffness through the upper neck or shoulders
- Pain that worsens with neck movement, looking down, or prolonged sitting
- Pressure behind the eyes, sometimes mistaken for sinus pain
- Headaches triggered by stress, posture, or after sleeping poorly
In cervicogenic headaches, tenderness is often felt along the first three cervical vertebrae which house joints and nerves closely connected to headache pathways. Patients may also notice limited neck motion, difficulty turning their head comfortably, or discomfort when lying on certain pillows.
Some individuals experience symptoms similar to migraines – such as sensitivity to light or sound – but the underlying cause is mechanical irritation in the neck rather than neurological changes. This is why identifying the true source of the headache is essential. Treating only the head often leads to temporary relief, while addressing the cervical spine can create long-term change.
What Is Our Approach To Fixing / Treating Headaches?
At Taylor Physical Therapy, our first priority is determining where your headaches are coming from. We assess posture, cervical spine joint mobility, muscle tension, and nerve involvement to establish whether the symptoms are migraine-based, tension-related, or stemming from upper cervical dysfunction.
When we identify cervicogenic headaches, we use a combination of hands-on techniques, targeted exercises, and corrective movement strategies. Our therapists specialize in treating dysfunctions of the upper cervical spine – particularly the joints and discs – which are often the key generators of head pain.
Treatment may include:
- Manual therapy to restore mobility in stiff cervical joints
- Soft-tissue techniques to release tension in the upper neck
- Postural retraining to reduce strain on the spine
- Strengthening exercises to support the deep neck muscles
- Education on movement habits, ergonomic adjustments, and sleep positioning
This approach aims not only to relieve current pain but also to prevent recurring episodes. When the neck moves correctly and the supporting muscles function as they should, headaches often decrease significantly in frequency, intensity, and duration.
Our goal is to help you return to normal activities with a clearer head, less tension, and greater control over the triggers that once limited your day.
Get Your FREE Headaches Guide
If headaches have been disrupting your daily life, download our free report. It provides clear insights into the hidden causes of head and neck pain, along with practical steps you can begin using today to reduce discomfort and regain control. Whether your symptoms are neck-related or migraine-based, the report can help you understand your next steps and when expert guidance may be the key to lasting relief.
