MIGRAINES & HEADACHES

Migraines and chronic headaches can disrupt your work, sleep, and quality of life. While medications may provide temporary relief, many people seek conservative, drug-free options to manage pain and prevent recurrence. At Pinnacle Hill Chiropractic, we combine chiropractic care, nutrition counseling, and lifestyle strategies to help patients find lasting relief and regain control over their health.

Migraines and Headaches Explained

Headaches range from mild tension discomfort to severe migraines that cause throbbing pain, nausea, or sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines often involve changes in blood flow, hormones, posture, or stress levels, and they can last for hours or even days. While they’re common, recurring headaches are not “normal.” They often signal underlying tension or nerve irritation that can be corrected with conservative care.

Conservative Care for Migraines and Headaches

Chiropractic care and soft-tissue therapy can be highly effective for headache and migraine management. By improving spinal alignment, reducing nerve irritation, and easing muscle tension, our approach addresses both immediate pain and the underlying causes.

Our goal is to restore optimal function, reduce inflammation, and help prevent future flare-ups naturally.

Benefits of Integrative Care for Migraines and Headaches

  • Decreased frequency and intensity of headaches
  • Improved neck and shoulder mobility
  • Reduced muscle tension and stress
  • Enhanced posture and spinal alignment
  • Natural, drug-free pain relief and prevention

Preventing Migraine and Headache Recurrence

Migraines and headaches often result from stress, muscle tension, posture strain, or lifestyle factors that place repeated stress on the neck and nervous system. Our prevention-based approach helps patients identify and correct these triggers to reduce frequency and intensity over time through:

  • Postural and ergonomic recommendations to improve workstation setup and daily posture, decreasing neck and shoulder strain
  • Neck and upper back strengthening and mobility exercises to enhance support and stability for the cervical spine
  • Stress management and relaxation strategies to decrease tension and reduce headache frequency
  • Sleep and hydration guidance to promote consistent rest and proper hydration for overall nervous system health
  • Nutritional support to identify and reduce dietary triggers while supporting anti-inflammatory balance

Common Symptoms of Migraines and Headaches

  • Throbbing or pulsating head pain
  • Pain on one or both sides of the head
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Neck and shoulder tension
  • Visual disturbances (“aura”)
  • Hormonal or cyclical onset patterns

Common Triggers and Causes of Migraines and Headaches

Migraines and tension headaches can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as:

  • Hormonal fluctuations (ovulation, menstruation, or perimenopause)
  • Spinal restrictions and poor posture
  • Muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
  • Stress, anxiety, or poor sleep quality
  • Nutritional triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, aged cheese, MSG, or excess sugar
  • Dehydration or electrolyte imbalances
  • Gut dysfunction or magnesium deficiency

Who Can Benefit From Migraine & Headache Care?

This type of care is especially beneficial for:

Our Integrated Treatment Approach

We take a comprehensive, personalized approach to migraine and headache care, combining multiple therapies for the best results.

Your treatment plan may include:

  • Chiropractic Adjustments: Restore motion in restricted spinal joints and reduce nerve irritation.
  • Massage Therapy: Release muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce protective spasms around the neck and shoulders.
  • Nutrition Counseling: Nutrition Counseling: Dr. Rachel Stummer (MS in Clinical Nutrition) provides individualized, anti-inflammatory strategies to reduce triggers and support tissue healing and neurological health.
  • Infrared Sauna Therapy: Promotes circulation, reduces stiffness, decreases inflammation, and supports relaxation.

By integrating these evidence-based therapies, our team helps you restore nervous system function, relieve pain, support recovery, and prevent future headaches.

Techniques & Modalities We Use

Hands-On Techniques

  • Chiropractic Adjustments – Improve spinal alignment and reduce nerve irritation
  • Soft Tissue Therapies – Relieve tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
  • Cupping & Instrument-Assisted Techniques – Enhance circulation and encourage tissue recovery
  • Trigger Point Therapy – Release muscle knots that contribute to tension or migraine pain
  • Postural Correction Strategies – Address alignment issues that can trigger headaches

Supportive Modalities

Nutritional & Lifestyle Strategies

Because migraines often have hormonal and dietary components, nutrition plays a key role in management.

Our personalized strategies include:

  • Anti-inflammatory diet: Rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats to reduce inflammation.
  • Hormone balance: Support estrogen balance with phytoestrogen-rich foods like flaxseed and soy to support hormone-related migraines.
  • Nutrient support: Magnesium- and riboflavin-rich foods promote nerve health, support energy balance, and may reduce migraine frequency.
  • Hydration & trigger tracking: Identify and avoid common dietary triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, aged cheese, and processed foods to reduce recurrence.
  • Headache journaling: Recognize lifestyle patterns and dietary triggers.

We may also recommend supplements such as B-complex vitamins, magnesium, or curcumin, depending on your health history and individual needs.

At Pinnacle Hill Chiropractic, nutrition counseling is provided by Dr. Rachel Stummer, DC, MS, who tailors each nutrition and supplementation plan to reduce inflammation, improve resilience, and decrease headache frequency.

Ready to Find Relief?

Migraines and headaches don’t have to be your normal. With customized, conservative care, most patients experience significant improvement in pain and function — naturally.

Ready to find migraine relief? Schedule an appointment at Pinnacle Hill Chiropractic today and take the first step toward relief.

Frequently Asked Questions About Migraines & Headaches

Not exactly. All migraines are a type of headache, but not all headaches are migraines. Migraines often cause more severe pain and may include nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and visual disturbances.



Yes. Chiropractic care can reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraines by improving spinal alignment, reducing muscle tension, and decreasing nerve irritation.

Every patient is different, but many notice relief within the first few visits. Consistent care, along with lifestyle and nutritional changes, provides the best long-term improvement.

No. Chiropractic care is a safe, conservative option that can complement your existing treatment plan. We’re happy to collaborate with your primary care provider or neurologist to ensure your care is coordinated.

We take a whole-body approach to care. Our team helps identify hormonal and nutritional triggers and provides nutritional guidance, supplementation recommendations, and lifestyle changes to support your body’s natural balance.

For additional information, please refer to our Patient Information page.