Headaches and Migraine Treatment in Bloomington, MN
Many headaches have a spinal and muscular component that responds well to chiropractic care. Treating the source often provides more consistent relief than managing the symptom alone.
Headaches and Migraines At A Glance
Headaches and migraines are one of the most common reasons patients in Bloomington miss work, cancel plans, and reach for medication day after day. The patterns vary widely. Some patients describe a tension-like band that wraps the head. Others get pain that starts at the base of the skull and climbs forward over the temples. Migraines bring their own picture, with throbbing pain, light and sound sensitivity, and nausea that can shut down an entire day.
What often gets missed is how frequently headaches trace back to the neck. The upper cervical spine, the muscles at the base of the skull, and the nerves that exit there are closely linked to many headache patterns.
At Riverview Spine, our goal with headaches and migraines is to figure out what is actually generating the pain. Chiropractic adjustments, targeted rehabilitation, and, when relevant, cervical spinal decompression can help reduce headache frequency and intensity by addressing the cervical mechanics involved.
Last Reviewed By: Dr. Rod Opferkew on July 2, 2026
What Are Headaches And Migraines?
A headache is any pain in the head, but not all headaches are the same. The mechanisms behind them vary, and the right treatment depends on getting the type correct.
Tension-type headaches are the most common pattern and often feel like a tight band around the head. They are typically driven by muscle tension, posture, stress, and cervical joint restriction.
Cervicogenic headaches start in the neck and refer pain into the head. Patients often feel the pain begin at the base of the skull and travel forward into the temples, behind the eyes, or across the forehead. These respond particularly well to care directed at the cervical spine.
Migraines are a distinct neurological condition. They typically involve throbbing pain on one side of the head, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and sometimes visual changes called auras. The triggers and mechanisms are complex, but musculoskeletal contributors in the neck often play a role in frequency and intensity.
Many patients have a mix. A migraine pattern overlaid on a base of tension headaches and cervical dysfunction is one of the more common combinations.
Common Symptoms Of Headaches And Migraines
Headache symptoms vary widely depending on the underlying type and what is driving the pattern.
Tension headaches usually present as a steady, pressing pain that affects both sides of the head, often worse at the end of a long workday. Many patients report tight upper traps, a stiff neck, and a sense that the headache builds from the shoulders upward.
Cervicogenic headaches typically begin at the base of the skull and travel forward. The pain is often one-sided, worsened by certain neck movements, and accompanied by neck stiffness or tenderness. These headaches frequently get mistaken for migraines because of their location.
Migraines have a more dramatic presentation. The pain is often pulsing or throbbing, frequently one-sided, and can last hours to days. Light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, and nausea are common. Some patients experience visual auras or sensory changes before the pain hits.
Symptoms across all three types often follow predictable triggers. Long workdays at a screen, poor sleep, dehydration, and stress build the foundation. The cervical spine adds its own loading. Once the trigger threshold is crossed, the headache shows up.
What Causes Headaches And Migraines
The causes of headaches and migraines depend on the type, but several themes show up across patterns.
Cervical dysfunction is a major contributor. Restricted upper cervical joints, tight muscles at the base of the skull, and forward head posture all create chronic irritation that feeds into headache patterns. Cervicogenic headaches are driven directly by these mechanics, and tension headaches and migraines are often made worse by them.
Postural overload is a common modern driver. Hours at a screen with the head positioned in front of the shoulders multiplies the load on the cervical muscles and joints, building the foundation for daily or near-daily headaches.
Stress changes how the muscles around the head and neck behave. Chronic clenching, jaw tension, and shoulder bracing all add load.
Sleep position, dehydration, irregular meals, and hormonal changes contribute to migraine patterns specifically. Most headache patients have several factors stacking together. Addressing the mechanical contributors at the neck often reduces the impact of the others, even when those triggers cannot be fully removed.
Conditions That Can Mimic Headaches
Several conditions create head pain that looks like an ordinary headache but originates elsewhere.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which involves the jaw, can refer pain along the side of the head and behind the eye in ways that resemble migraine or tension headaches. Sinus issues can produce pressure-like head pain that mimics tension headaches, especially across the forehead and cheeks.
Eye strain from uncorrected vision or long screen exposure can produce headaches that look postural. Certain medications, including those taken for headaches themselves, can cause rebound headaches that perpetuate the cycle.
A clear history and exam separate these conditions. The goal is to make sure care is aimed at the actual driver, not just the area where the pain is felt.
When To Seek Urgent Care For Headaches
Most headaches are not dangerous, but certain patterns require immediate medical evaluation. Seek urgent care if a headache is the worst you have ever experienced and came on suddenly, is paired with fever and stiff neck, follows a head injury, comes with sudden weakness, numbness, vision loss, slurred speech, or loss of coordination, or is associated with confusion or loss of consciousness. New severe headaches in pregnancy or after age fifty also warrant immediate medical evaluation, not chiropractic care.
What Our Patients Are Saying
How We Diagnose Headaches And Migraines
Diagnosing headaches at Riverview Spine begins with a detailed history. How often do the headaches occur? Where do they start? What does the pain feel like? What makes them worse? Are there triggers? The pattern usually points strongly toward one or more headache types.
The physical exam focuses on the cervical spine and the surrounding tissues. Posture is analyzed for forward head positioning and shoulder rounding. Range of motion testing identifies restricted cervical joints, especially in the upper neck. Palpation reveals tension in the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull and across the upper traps.
Specific provocation tests can reproduce a cervicogenic headache pattern from the neck, which helps confirm the cervical contribution. When red flags or atypical features are present, referral or imaging may be recommended before treatment begins.
What to Expect From Your Care at Riverview Spine
Your care at Riverview Spine begins with a detailed consultation and physical examination, followed by X-rays to give Dr. Rod a clear structural picture. From there, he builds a personalized care plan that may include chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression for disc-related causes, and guidance on movement and posture. Many patients notice meaningful improvement within the first few visits. Your progress is tracked throughout, and the plan is updated as your condition responds.
How We Treat Headaches At Riverview Spine
Headache care at Riverview Spine focuses on the cervical and postural contributors driving the pattern. Most patients see meaningful changes in frequency and intensity when the neck mechanics are addressed, even when the headache type is not purely cervicogenic. Care is layered to match the specific drivers found on the exam.
Why Early Treatment For Headache Matters
Headaches that go untreated tend to become more frequent over time. The cervical mechanics that contribute to early headache patterns rarely improve on their own. They build, and the headaches follow.
There is also a medication factor. Patients who manage frequent headaches with over-the-counter pain relievers for long periods sometimes develop rebound headaches, which complicate the picture. Addressing the cervical contribution early reduces the need for medication and gives the body a chance to settle.
Early care often shortens the path back to predictable, headache-free weeks, especially for cervicogenic and tension patterns where mechanics are the main driver.
Meet The Team Behind Your Care
Dr. Rod Opferkew
Dr. Rod Opferkew has over 23 years of chiropractic experience and focuses on identifying the root cause of pain before building a care plan around your needs.
Serving Bloomington And The Surrounding Twin Cities Communities
Riverview Spine is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, and serves patients across Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and the surrounding south Twin Cities area. Patients also travel from nearby Minneapolis neighborhoods for spinal decompression, a service that is not widely available in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions About Headaches And Migraines
Related Conditions
Schedule Headache Treatment At Riverview Spine
Daily headaches are not normal, even when they have been part of your life for years. The cervical spine, posture, and muscle tension around the head and neck are often the missing piece in headache and migraine patterns. Riverview Spine combines chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and selective spinal decompression to address what is driving your headaches. Book an appointment to get an exam-driven plan, or call the clinic to talk first.