Understanding Headaches and the AMIT Solution

Most recurring headaches fall into three groups: cervicogenic headaches that start in the neck, tension-type headaches that feel like a tight band around the head, and migraines. Tension-type headache is the most common headache condition, and cervicogenic headache is the one most often missed, because the pain is felt in the head while the source sits in the joints and muscles of the upper neck.

Knowing which type you have changes the treatment. A headache driven by the neck will keep coming back until the neck is addressed.

Headaches can result from a variety of causes, including issues in the neck, stress, or trauma. They vary in intensity and type, with some originating from problems in the cervical spine, while others may be tension-related or due to migraines.

This is one of the non-surgical neck and spine treatment AMIT addresses by restoring proper muscle activation instead of relying on surgery.

On This Page:

• Cervicogenic Headache

• Tension Headache

• Migraine Headache

• How to Tell Which Headache You Have

• Headache Warning Signs That Need a Doctor

• How AMIT Treats Headaches

Cervicogenic Headache

A cervicogenic headache is caused by problems in the neck, often due to trauma, inflammation, or degenerative disease.

Causes:

• Multiple traumas to the neck

• Inflammation of facet joints

• Degenerative conditions in the cervical spine

Symptoms:

• Steady, non-throbbing pain at the base of the skull

• A sensation of tightness around the head

• Pain radiating from the neck into the skull

• Neck stiffness

A common clue is that the headache gets worse with certain neck positions or after holding the head still for a long time, such as at a computer, and that it often sits on one side. Neck injuries like whiplash and a locked wry neck are frequent starting points.

AMIT Explanation for Cervicogenic Headache:

Injuries to the neck joints and muscles cause inflammation and inhibition. The body reacts by tightening the muscles around the neck, restricting circulation and lymphatic drainage, which leads to pain and further inflammation.

Tension Headache

Tension headaches are often mild to moderate, typically described as a tight band around the head.

Causes:

• Neck trauma

• Emotional or physical stress

• Jaw/teeth problems

• Sinus inflammation

Symptoms:

• Dull, aching head pain

• Pressure across the forehead or back of the head

• Tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulders

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke lists tension-type headache as the most common headache condition. The pain is usually felt on both sides of the head and can last from 30 minutes to 7 days. Common triggers include poor sleep, dehydration, and postures that strain the head and neck, such as reading or looking down at a phone for long periods.

Migraine Headache

Migraine headaches are intense, often with throbbing or pulsing sensations, typically on one side of the head.

Symptoms:

• Aura or blurred vision before/during the migraine

• Sensitivity to light and sound

• Nausea, vomiting, speech problems, vision loss

AMIT Explanation for Migraine:

Migraines can be triggered by concussions, low blood sugar, toxic exposure, or hormone imbalances. Less common causes include structural defects like Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) or vertebral artery dissection, which may increase the risk of stroke. Nasal Cranial Technique can be highly effective in treating migraines.

If your headaches started after a blow to the head, our concussion page explains how we approach head injuries.

How to Tell Which Headache You Have

These patterns help separate the three, although they can overlap and some people have more than one type:

• Cervicogenic: Starts at the base of the skull or the neck, usually on one side, and changes with neck movement or posture. Neck stiffness is common.

• Tension-type: Pressure or tightness on both sides of the head, mild to moderate, and you can usually carry on with daily activities.

• Migraine: Throbbing, often one-sided, frequently with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes preceded by an aura.

Taking pain medication for headaches very often can itself cause more frequent headaches, known as medication overuse or rebound headaches. If you are reaching for pain relievers several times a week, that is worth raising at your visit.

Headache Warning Signs That Need a Doctor

Most headaches are not dangerous. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke advises seeing a doctor right away for:

• A sudden, severe headache, especially with a stiff neck

• A severe headache with fever, nausea, or vomiting not related to another illness

• A first or "worst ever" headache with confusion, weakness, double vision, or loss of consciousness

• A headache after a head injury

• A headache with numbness or weakness in any part of the body, which can be a sign of stroke

• A headache that gets worse over days or weeks or changes its pattern

How AMIT Treats Headaches

A first visit takes about 40 minutes. We go through when your headaches started, where they sit, and what sets them off, then check neck movement and test the neck, jaw, and upper back muscles one at a time. If your symptoms match any of the warning signs above, we send you for medical evaluation first. Pain in the arm or hand along with neck pain and headaches can point to a nerve problem, covered on our cervical disc herniation page. You can read more about the AMIT Method and what to expect at your first appointment.

Steps to Take If You Have Headaches

1. Consult a Certified AMIT Practitioner: Get a personalized evaluation of your headache type and condition.

2. Treatment and Rehabilitation: AMIT can provide relief by addressing muscle imbalances and treating the underlying causes of headaches.

If you are experiencing frequent headaches, contact Advanced Muscle Integration Clinics in the Salt lake City Area today for effective treatment using Advanced Muscle Integration Technique.

Headache Treatment in Draper and Kaysville

AMIT Clinics treats headaches at both Utah locations: Draper, at 12371 S 900 E Unit 101, and Kaysville, at 447 North 300 West Ste 5. The Kaysville clinic is close to Layton and Farmington. We see people whose headaches began after a car accident or sports injury, desk workers with daily neck-driven headaches, and people who have tried several approaches without finding the source.

Frequently Asked Questions About Headaches

Call 801.544.2355 to be seen.