Headaches & Migraines
Some headaches live at the base of the skull and creep over the top of the head. Some clamp like a band after a long day at the screen. If yours keep coming back — and especially i…
Medically reviewed by Dr. Alan S. Bader, DC — Chiropractic Physician, Nevada License B-567 · Dr. Bader · Dr. Doyle · Last reviewed: July 2026
Some headaches live at the base of the skull and creep over the top of the head. Some clamp like a band after a long day at the screen. If yours keep coming back — and especially if your neck is stiff when they do — the neck deserves a proper look.
What’s actually going on
Not all headaches are the same animal. Tension-type headaches involve muscle and stress patterns. Cervicogenic headaches are referred pain from the neck's upper joints — they usually start one-sided at the skull base and are provoked by neck movement or posture. Migraines are a neurological condition with their own triggers. Chiropractic care is most directly relevant to the first two; for migraine patients, care focuses on the neck-related triggers some patients have — stated honestly, results vary.
Common causes we see
- Upper cervical joint restriction referring pain to the head
- Sustained desk posture loading the skull-base muscles
- Jaw tension and TMJ patterns feeding headaches
- Stress physiology — clenching, guarding, shallow breathing
- Migraine triggers (sleep, hormones, foods) with a neck-tension component
How we evaluate it
We map the headache pattern (location, timing, triggers), examine the cervical spine's upper joints and musculature, screen the jaw when indicated, and — critically — screen for headache red flags that need medical evaluation instead of an adjustment.
How chiropractic care may help
For cervicogenic and tension-type patterns, care may include specific upper-cervical and upper-thoracic adjustments, soft-tissue work at the skull base, posture and workstation coaching, and home exercises. Many patients see their frequency and intensity improve over a course of care; we track headache days so the answer is in the numbers.
What to expect
Bring a simple headache log if you can (when, where, how bad, what helped) — even a week of notes sharpens the first exam considerably.
⚠ When to seek medical care instead
Emergency evaluation for: a sudden 'worst headache of your life,' headache with fever and stiff neck, after head trauma, with confusion, vision loss or weakness, or a brand-new headache pattern after age 50. These aren't chiropractic cases until a physician clears them — we screen and refer first.
Classification reference: International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) — cervicogenic headache criteria.
This page is education, not medical advice for your specific situation — an examination is how care decisions get made. If you may be experiencing an emergency, call 911. Full medical disclaimer.
In pain right now? Acute patients get priority scheduling. Call and tell us what’s going on — same-week appointments are usually available.
☎ (775) 829-7575Headaches & Migraines — FAQs
How do I know if my headaches come from my neck?
Cervicogenic clues: one-sided pain starting at the skull base, provoked by neck positions, with restricted upper-neck motion on exam. The examination — not guesswork — makes the call.
Can chiropractic care cure migraines?
No one should promise that. For migraine patients whose episodes involve neck tension triggers, care may reduce frequency — and we measure honestly. Migraines also deserve medical co-management; we work alongside your physician, not instead of them.
What about my medication?
Keep taking what your physician prescribed. Our care doesn't replace medical management — for many patients it complements it, and fewer headache days often means the medication conversation changes on its own.
What patients say
Reno Patients, In Their Own Words
“First time here… Friendly and efficient receptionist, she explained everything in detail. I saw Dr. Bader. Listened to my areas of pain, explained many things and my first adjustment was great. He is also friendly, has good “bedside” manners. They are a hometown health provider.”
“I’ve been seeing Dr. Bader for the last 15 years. He is extremely knowledgeable and has a great bedside manor. The office is very well run… Most insurance is accepted and if it’s not, the cash plan is very reasonable. Walk in’s are acceptable and same day appointments are most likely.”
“Dr Bader is a Super Chiropractor! Palmer educated.”
“They actually work on fixing your issues with adjustments and therapy and get you in and out of the office in a timely manner.”
Real patient reviews from Google and Yelp, quoted word-for-word (ellipses mark trims — nothing else is changed). Individual experiences vary — care decisions always follow an examination. Read them all — unfiltered — at the sources.
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