Headaches & Migraines Treatment Lake Forest, CA
Dr. Ron Merriel, DC, and Dr. Jordan Ziegler, DC, have treated many patients in Lake Forest & Spring Valley suffering from recurring headaches and migraines. These conditions can interfere with work, sleep, and daily life, especially when they return frequently or become more intense over time.
Headaches and migraines often develop due to tension, posture issues, or spinal misalignment rather than a single trigger. At Go Greenlight Chiropractic, we focus on identifying what is causing the problem, not just managing the pain.
Our approach is gentle and precise. Each treatment plan is designed to improve spinal function, reduce tension, and support the nervous system naturally. The first step is a consultation to understand your symptoms and create a clear path forward.
How Do We Diagnose Headaches
Most of the headaches we treat come from the neck. The pain typically starts at the base of the skull, comes up to the back of the head, and moves up and over to the temple region. These are called tension-type headaches or cervicogenic headaches. Daily habits like workstation setup and sleeping position are very often the root cause.
When you come in with headaches, we take a full history. We ask about your workstation setup, whether your head is turned slightly while you work or watch TV, and how you sleep. We can often reproduce the headache just by pressing certain areas in the neck, which helps confirm that the neck is the source of the problem.
Common Causes of Headaches and Migraines
Two of the most common causes we find are an unsupportive workstation and stomach sleeping.
Having your head turned even slightly while working or watching TV creates tension in the neck. Over hours, days, and months, that tension builds up and contributes to headaches. Even watching TV with your head turned slightly on the couch or in the bedroom adds up over time.
Sleeping on your stomach with your head turned to one side all night is another major cause. Instead of the neck getting restorative sleep, it stays tense and aggravated throughout the night. That sustained tension and inflammation lead to headaches.
Headache Treatment
We treat the neck to address the source of the headaches. During every visit, we address the muscles on either side of the spine using trigger point therapy or active release therapy to clear up tension before making the adjustment. We also work with patients on correcting the daily habits that are causing or sustaining the problem.
Common corrections we work through with patients include adjusting their workstation setup, changing how they watch TV, and breaking the habit of sleeping on their stomachs. Switching to sleeping on the side or on the back is one of the most important changes a patient can make. It takes time to break a long-standing habit, but it makes a significant difference in how quickly the headaches resolve.
Headache and Migraine Patient Case Study
Desk Worker Recovers From Tension Headaches
Patient Info: A woman with a desk job came in with tension-type headaches and neck pain. She had three monitors at her workstation.
Symptoms: Tension-type headaches and neck pain.
Diagnosis: The headaches were coming from neck tension caused by turning her head to look at multiple monitors, propping her head up while watching TV, and sleeping on her stomach since childhood.
Treatment: We placed her on a treatment plan and worked through her daily habits during care. We asked her to swivel in her chair rather than turning her head to look at each monitor. We coached her to stop propping her head up while watching TV. We discouraged having a television in the bedroom. Breaking her habit of sleeping on her stomach took the longest, as she had done so since childhood. She eventually switched to sleeping on her side or her back.
Outcome: She was determined to correct her habits and follow through with her care. She had a full recovery from the tension-type headaches and the neck pain she had been experiencing.
Migraine Patient Testimonials & Reviews
Andy Santos
After over a year of doctor visits and physical therapy, I hit a plateau and was still in a lot of daily pain. Dr. McDonald’s treatment plan, combined with Natalie’s effective massage therapy...
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Bryn DenHeyer
I originally came here to have my infant daughter treated by Dr. Waters for torticollis. He was a miracle worker! I started having pain and asked if he worked on adults- he did! I saw him a few times...
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Divya Kapoor
Best massage place ever!! Melina's neck and back massages are lifesavers, especially after long hours hunched over a computer. She really knows how to target those tight spots to ease tension...
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Nancy Clinkerbeard
Greenlight Chiropractic is fantastic. From the moment you walk in and they know you by name, Jeremy is an awesome manager, facilitator of your visit and needs. Next get time for Natalie to work on you...
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Sabina Uskenova
I really liked it there!! It’s very calm and nice atmosphere that you can trust. Dr, Waters was very patient and explained everything. He didn’t try to sell me a thousand adjustments as you...
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Sylvia Mireles
Hi!!! I just had my last adjustment with Dr. Waters. He has been a gem, his expertise- his sincerity and super genuineness, has been a bright star as part of my overall healing and amazing experience on this...
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Scheduling your visit with Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab is simple. You can call our office directly or visit our Contact Us page to connect with the location nearest you and request an appointment.
Our team can help answer questions, guide you through the scheduling process, and help you find a visit time that works best for your schedule.
Headache and Migraine Patient FAQs
Who is a good candidate for headache chiropractic care?
- Adults with chronic or recurring headaches
- Desk workers and remote employees
- Athletes and active individuals
- High-stress individuals
Patients with headaches linked to neck tension, posture strain, or desk-related habits may benefit from a chiropractic evaluation.
Can a chiropractor really help headache and migraines?
Chiropractic care can help when migraines are related to spinal tension or nerve irritation. We treat tension-type and cervicogenic headaches originating in the neck. If your headaches are coming from neck tension, addressing the source of that tension can make a significant difference.
How many sessions are needed for headache relief?
It depends on how long you have had the headaches and how quickly you correct the daily habits contributing to them. Patients who follow through with their care plan and make the necessary changes tend to progress faster.
Is chiropractic treatment safe for migraines?
We take a gentle approach with all our patients. We address muscle tension before every adjustment. For patients who are nervous about adjustments, instrument-based options are available as well.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
No referral is required in most cases. Chiropractors are primary contact practitioners, which means you can book directly without seeing a doctor first. You can call us or book online to schedule your first appointment.
What are the preventive tips for migraines?
The best prevention starts with your daily habits. Avoid turning your head for long periods at your desk or while watching TV. Stop sleeping on your stomach. Correct your workstation setup. These are the habits we most commonly find contributing to tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches.
What are the home remedies for headaches & migraines?
Icing the area several times a day can help bring down inflammation. Correcting your sleeping position, adjusting your workstation, and taking regular breaks throughout the day also support your recovery between visits.
What are the long-term effects of ignoring headaches and migraines?
Without treatment, headaches and migraines can become more frequent and harder to correct over time. Long-term effects may include chronic pain, increased dependence on medication, reduced quality of life, degeneration in the neck and spine, and ongoing stress on the nervous system.
Getting checked early makes it easier to address the root cause and prevent long-term complications.
What are headaches?
Headaches are painful areas of your head that may negatively impact many aspects of your life when left untreated. A variety of factors can cause headaches, ranging in severity from mild to severe and crippling. The experts at Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab offer conservative treatments for headache pain to help you avoid addictive medicines.
What are the symptoms of headaches?
Common symptoms of headaches include:
- Dull ache
- Severe head discomfort
- Throbbing or pulsing pain
- Pain on just one side of your head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Light or sound sensitivity
- Weakness
Migraines are severe forms of headaches that can turn debilitating when left untreated. While common, you don’t have to live with frequent headaches or migraines.
What are the risk factors for headaches?
Factors that increase your risk of developing headaches or migraines include:
- Family history of headaches
- Intense physical exertion
- Dehydration
- Some medications
- Certain foods or drinks
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Some chemicals or perfumes
- Sleeping pattern changes
- Depression
- Emotional stress
- Bright lights
- Loud noises
- Eye, back, or neck strain
- Poor posture
- Weather changes
- Hormone changes
- Head injuries
- Tumors
- Whiplash
The Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab experts work to find the root cause of headache pain and treat it effectively for long-lasting relief.
How does my provider find the cause of headaches?
To find possible causes of your headaches and develop a treatment plan, a Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab provider reviews your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle habits. They complete a physical exam and may recommend a CT scan or another imaging procedure to detect or rule out underlying medical problems.
How are headaches treated?
The Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab team treats headaches and migraines using chiropractic compression methods. They also provide massage therapy to relax tense tissues associated with headache pain.
During chiropractic treatments, you rest comfortably on a chiropractic table, and your doctor realigns your spine by placing pressure on targeted areas of your neck, back, or other tissues. Doing this relieves discomfort naturally. The treatment is painless and highly effective for long-lasting comfort.
To get treated for headaches without pain medication or invasive procedures, call the Greenlight Chiropractic & Wellness Lab office or schedule an appointment online today.
