If you are dealing with chronic headaches, migraines, or neck pain that just will not go away, you are not alone — and you do not have to keep living with it. Watch the video below to hear Dr. Megan Tomberlin explain how chiropractic care and dry needling can help.
Why Do Headaches and Migraines Keep Coming Back?
Most people reach for pain relievers and hope the headache passes. But if the same pain keeps returning, the root cause is still there. Headaches and migraines are often triggered by muscle tension, nerve irritation, and poor circulation in the neck and upper back — none of which a pill can fix long term.
Common causes include:
- Chronic stress that builds tension in the neck and shoulders
- Poor posture from long hours at a desk or on a screen
- Old injuries that left behind tight, restricted tissue
- Repetitive movements that create muscle imbalances over time
What Are the Symptoms to Watch For?
You might be dealing with more than just a headache. Many patients come in describing a combination of symptoms that have been going on for months or even years:
- Tension or pressure behind the eyes or across the forehead
- Stiffness or soreness in the neck when you wake up
- Pain that builds throughout the day
- Jaw tightness or TMJ discomfort
- Shoulder and upper back tension that will not release
- Migraines that come with nausea, light sensitivity, or visual changes
If any of those sound familiar, your muscles and nervous system may be holding onto tension that needs a hands-on solution.
How Dry Needling Targets the Source of Pain
I specialize in dry needling, and it is one of the most effective tools we have for releasing the kind of deep muscle tension that drives chronic headaches and migraines.
Dry needling works by locating trigger points — tight knots inside the muscle that restrict blood flow and radiate pain into the head, jaw, and neck. Using a very thin, sterile needle, I stimulate those trigger points directly. The muscle twitches, releases, and begins to relax. Circulation improves, inflammation calms down, and the pain cycle starts to break.
What to expect during treatment:
- A brief twitch or mild ache when the trigger point is reached — this is a good sign
- A deep sense of relief or improved range of motion right after the session
- Mild muscle soreness for a day or two, similar to a post-workout feeling
- Gradual reduction in how often and how intensely headaches occur
Some patients notice significant improvement after just one or two sessions. Others benefit from a series of treatments over several weeks to fully retrain the muscles and nervous system. Every case is different, and we build your plan around your body and your goals.
Active Release Technique: Restoring Movement and Function
Dry needling works even better when paired with Active Release Technique, or ART. Dr. Jordan Warner specializes in ART and uses it to break up scar tissue, restore proper movement patterns, and reduce restriction in the muscles and connective tissue surrounding the neck and spine.
Together, dry needling and ART address both the trigger points causing your pain and the movement dysfunction that keeps bringing it back.
Who Can Benefit from This Approach?
This is not just for people with severe migraines. Our patients come from all walks of life:
- Office workers and remote employees with posture-related tension
- Athletes recovering from overuse or sports injuries
- Anyone dealing with TMJ, jaw pain, or clenching
- People with lower back pain, sciatica, or hip tightness
- Patients managing stress-related muscle pain in daily life
At Waves of Wellness Chiropractic, we take a full-body approach. We look at the whole picture, find what is driving your pain, and create a personalized plan to help you get lasting relief — not just temporary relief.
Ready to Stop Living Around Your Headaches?
You deserve to feel good every day, not just on the days when your pain happens to be manageable. If you are ready to take the next step, we would love to help. Call us at (910) 859-8359