Headache Program

You are a good fit if:

  • You have migraine disorder (with or without aura) and neck tension/pain
  • You have a headache disorder (cervicogenic, tension, TMD related, post-trauma, ice-pick, allergy or sinus, hormonal, occipital neuralgia, etc)
  • You have symptoms of cervicogenic headache, even if you’ve never been diagnosed. These include: pain on one side of the head or face, stiff neck, pain around the eyes, neck, shoulder, and arms, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and sound
  • You have neck pain, stiffness, or tension for ANY reason
  • You have arthritis or degeneration in the neck or shoulder
  • You are a middle/high school or college student who uses a laptop or computer for most of your work
  • You have a history of physical trauma to the head, neck, shoulders, or jaw
  • You’ve had a concussion and did not receive a formal rehab program for your neck as part of your concussion rehab
  • You’ve had a concussion and never received any kind of concussion-specific rehab
  • You have been diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome “PCS” (or suspected). This often involves other sensitivities after an improperly-rehabilitated concussive event that may include GI sensitivities, heart rate or blood pressure issues, POTS, poorly tolerated light/sound exposure, poorly tolerated exertion, etc
  • You have or have had a job that requires prolonged sustained positions or postures (desk/computer/laptop)
  • You have had one or more car accidents, even if they were 20+ years ago
  • You have seen a neurologist and all imaging and tests were “negative” and do not explain your symptoms
  • You have been prescribed migraine medications but they did not fully resolve your symptoms
Keep scrolling to learn about our flexible 3-phase approach. 

We Diagnose and Treat the Root Causes

Osteopractors are the best-suited specialized practitioners to treat headache conditions naturally, and there are less than 500 of us worldwide. Simply put, Osteopractors are trained to identify the root cause(s) of your condition faster and more accurately than other providers, and can deliver the most customized, safe, and effective treatments. Our natural approach is based on highly regarded research and extensive experience across the United States. Dr. Gorby is a leading instructor nationwide in teaching proper diagnosis and treatment of headache disorders through his work with AAMT.

For decades, researchers have known that skilled manual (hands-on) therapy techniques are an important puzzle piece in treating headache and migraine conditions, but recent discoveries in the Osteopractic and manual therapy worlds have illuminated fine-tuned and safe protocols. We are now able to provide patients fast, natural relief that heals the root cause(s) which layer over each other and trigger headache and migraine episodes. This allows patients to decrease or eliminate the need for medication and return to an active and fulfilled life. 

Our treatments increase oxygenation and healing of anatomical structures (such as nerves, tendons, joint capsules, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bone periosteum, and fascia) that trigger headache episodes. We utilize a variety of highly skilled, hands-on techniques including a prescribed combination of spinal manipulation, soft tissue mobilization, perineural dry needling, customized neuromuscular re-education, and other techniques of evidence-based dry needling. If any of these techniques are left out of the “treatment puzzle,” patients will see limited or temporary results. Many of our patients reported having only temporary or limited relief from other isolated treatments before finding us (medications, injections, Botox, massage, chiropractic, and exercise-based physiotherapy). As Osteopractors, we are able to combine all forms of treatment in a highly efficient manner. 

Program Phase 1: Repair

After an in-depth history and evaluation, your customized treatments will be recommended based on all potential areas of interest. The areas we focus on are all interconnected, and the tissue types involved often include nerves, tendons, fascia, scar tissue, ligaments, muscles, and joint capsules in the upper neck, shoulders, upper back, jaw, and head. The goal of this phase is to jumpstart strong healing cascades within chronically injured or irritated areas that are known to trigger headache and migraine episodes.

For the best results, your plan will include a unique combination of the following customized treatments:

  • Evidence-based dry needling (perineural, periosteal, & protocol-based)
  • Osteopractic spinal manipulation
  • Osteopractic extremity manipulation
  • Segmental joint mobilization
  • Myofascial mobilization
  • IASTM (cupping, Graston, body tempering)
  • Scar tissue mobilization
  • Neuromuscular re-education
  • Prescribed exercise program for home
  • Research-supported supplementation

By restoring homeostasis and promoting healing, patients often experience immediate improvements in their symptoms. This is achieved through desensitizing the nervous system and enhancing oxygenation and cellular waste removal within the affected areas.

Program Phase 2: Transition

Treatments are given at a lower frequency. This period aims to maintain tissue homeostasis while patients re-integrate activities or known triggers they may have been avoiding before. Tissue homeostasis refers to the overall balance of cellular health, including local pH, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, oxygen delivery, cell waste removal, structural tension or laxity, adhesions or scar tissue, joint integrity, and nerve sensitivity. Patients may also consider gradually reducing reliance on medications during this phase. The transition phase typically lasts 1 to 2 months but can vary depending on scheduling conflicts, re-injury, or life changes that can affect stress and other pillars of health. 

Program Phase 3: Maintenance

The final phase of the program is the maintenance phase, which is tailored to each patient’s specific needs. This phase involves periodic “tune-up” treatment sessions on an as-needed basis to sustain the progress made in the earlier phases and offset ongoing life factors that may continue to challenge you. The frequency of maintenance sessions is determined based on individual patient requirements, with the goal of 4 to 6 treatment per year. This personalized approach ensures that patients can continue to lead full and unrestricted lives with a very limited level of support from us.