Headaches & Migraines Treatment in Novato
Headache and migraine treatment in Novato, CA that looks for neck-related causes. Gentle adjustments and myofascial release, no drugs. Book an exam today.
Chiropractic care for headaches & migraines
Get to the root of your headaches & migraines
Also known as: Tension Headaches, Cervicogenic Headache, Migraine
If headaches are a regular part of your week — whether they build across the back of your skull, throb behind one eye, or flare into a full migraine — the problem may actually start in your neck. Our headache and migraine treatment in Novato, CA starts there: Dr. Douglas DeSalvo identifies the cervical tension and joint restriction that so many headaches trace back to, and builds a drug-free plan aimed at reducing both the frequency and the intensity of your pain.
Symptoms of headaches & migraines
- ✓A dull, pressure-like ache across the forehead or temples
- ✓Tightness or pain that starts at the base of the skull and creeps up
- ✓Throbbing or pulsing pain on one or both sides of the head
- ✓Neck stiffness or soreness accompanying the headache
- ✓Sensitivity to light, sound, or strong smells
- ✓Nausea or visual disturbances with severe episodes
- ✓Headaches that worsen with sustained sitting or screen time
Common causes
- Joint restriction or misalignment in the upper cervical spine
- Chronic muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Poor posture and forward head position from long hours of sitting
- Stress and jaw (TMJ) tension that radiates into the head
- Dehydration, irregular sleep, or hormonal fluctuations
- Whiplash or past head and neck injuries
- Tight, tender spots in the suboccipital and trapezius muscles
Our approach
How we treat headaches & migraines in Novato
- Step 1
Full cervical and neurological exam
We review your headache history and perform orthopedic, postural, and neurological testing to determine whether your headaches are cervicogenic, tension-type, or migraine — and screen for red-flag signs that need immediate referral.
- Step 2
A targeted, personalized plan
You get a plain-English explanation of what we found and a specific, time-bound care plan built around your headache type — including how many visits to expect and what success looks like.
- Step 3
Hands-on treatment & lifestyle support
We combine cervical adjustments with myofascial release to ease the joint restriction and muscle tension driving your headaches, then guide you on posture, ergonomics, and trigger management to keep them from returning.
The basics
Understanding headaches & migraines
Your head hurts — but the source of that pain is often not in your head at all. The cervical spine, the muscles of the neck and upper back, and the joints at the base of your skull are intimately connected to the nerves and blood vessels that regulate head pain. When those structures are restricted, overloaded, or inflamed, they refer pain upward — producing the dull pressure of a tension headache, the crawling ache of a cervicogenic headache, or a trigger that tips a susceptible nervous system into a full migraine.
Cervicogenic headaches are one of the most under-recognized and under-treated headache types. They originate in the upper cervical spine — often C1, C2, or C3 — and are commonly misdiagnosed as migraine or tension headache. Tension-type headaches are driven by sustained muscle contraction in the neck, shoulders, and jaw, often aggravated by stress, poor posture, and long hours in front of a screen. Migraines involve a neurological sensitivity that amplifies pain signals — and while chiropractic does not cure migraines, reducing cervical tension and improving spinal mechanics may help lower the frequency and intensity of episodes for some patients.
One visit. Real answers. A plan made for you.
Reserved for new patients: an unhurried first visit with Dr. DeSalvo himself. Your one-on-one consultation, comprehensive exam, muscle and nerve function assessment and first treatment, plus a care plan designed around you, all for $97.
What your New Patient Special includes
- A one-on-one consultation with Dr. DeSalvo
- A comprehensive exam
- A muscle & nerve function assessment
- Your first treatment
- A customized care plan, built around your goals
New patients only, one per person. X-rays are not included. If you choose to continue care, your care plan and its pricing are discussed with you up front. Not available for automobile-accident or personal-injury cases. Read the full New Patient Special disclaimer.
Types of headaches we treat
Not every headache feels the same — and the difference matters for how we treat it. At DeSalvo Chiropractic we regularly help Novato-area patients with:
- Tension headaches — the most common type, felt as a band of pressure around the head or a heavy ache across the forehead and temples. Driven by muscle tightness in the neck and jaw, they often respond well to chiropractic adjustments and myofascial release.
- Cervicogenic headaches — pain that originates in the upper cervical spine (C1–C3) and refers into the head. Often misdiagnosed as migraine, the telltale sign is neck pain or stiffness that accompanies the headache. Cervical manipulation has research support for this type, and poor posture at a desk is a common contributor.
- Migraines — a more complex neurological pattern involving heightened pain sensitivity, often accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, or visual disturbances. Chiropractic care won’t cure migraines, but correcting cervical mechanics and reducing muscle tension may help lower the frequency and intensity of episodes. We coordinate with your neurologist or primary care provider when a team approach is needed.
- Post-traumatic headaches — headaches that began or worsened after whiplash, a car accident, or a sports injury. We document findings and can coordinate care with your medical providers and insurance carrier.
Your exam tells us which type you’re dealing with — and sometimes it’s more than one — so your plan is built for your head, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment takes about 45–60 minutes, and it’s all about understanding your headaches before we treat them. We’ll:
- Listen to your history — when the headaches started, how often they occur, what seems to trigger them, and how they affect your work and daily life.
- Perform a thorough cervical and neurological exam — orthopedic, postural, and movement testing to determine whether your neck is the true source, and to screen for red-flag signs that need specialist referral.
- Explain what we found — in plain English, including your headache type and a specific, time-bound care plan with a clear endpoint.
- Start care when appropriate — many patients receive their first gentle cervical adjustment the same day.
You’re never locked into open-ended treatment — just a focused plan with a real finish line.
Drug-free headache and migraine relief
Reaching for ibuprofen or acetaminophen every few days feels like the easy answer — until those same medications begin causing “rebound” headaches that make the cycle harder to break. Chiropractic care offers a different path: correct the joint restriction and muscle tension that are actually generating your pain, then address the posture and lifestyle habits that keep re-creating it. For many patients across Novato and Marin County, that can mean fewer headache days, less reliance on medication, and a head and neck that feel better in daily life. And if your exam ever suggests you need imaging, medication, or a specialist, Dr. DeSalvo will tell you honestly and help coordinate that care.
When to see a chiropractor in Novato
Many people tolerate frequent headaches because they’ve learned to manage them with over-the-counter medication — but recurring reliance on pain relievers can itself trigger medication-overuse (rebound) headaches, creating a cycle that’s hard to break without addressing the underlying cause. Consider booking an exam if you notice:
- Headaches that happen more than a few times a month
- Head pain accompanied by neck stiffness or soreness
- Headaches that start or worsen after sitting for long periods
- Increasing reliance on ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or triptans
- Headaches that began or worsened after a whiplash or neck injury
One important note: a sudden, extremely severe headache — the worst of your life — or any headache with fever, confusion, vision loss, weakness, or that follows a head injury warrants emergency evaluation, not a chiropractic appointment. We screen for these red-flag presentations at your first visit and refer immediately when we see them.
During your first appointment Dr. DeSalvo performs a thorough cervical and neurological exam, identifies your headache type, and gives you a clear, honest assessment of whether chiropractic care is the right fit — and what to expect if it is.
Why Novato-area patients choose DeSalvo Chiropractic
Patients from Novato and across Marin County choose DeSalvo Chiropractic for headache and migraine care because we look for the root cause rather than just writing a prescription or recommending indefinite treatment. Dr. DeSalvo combines targeted chiropractic adjustments to restore proper cervical mechanics with myofascial release to ease the muscle tension that fuels recurring headaches — all inside one coordinated, time-bound plan.
We also take time to address the lifestyle factors — posture, ergonomics, sleep, hydration, and stress — that keep headaches coming back even after the spine is moving well. For patients whose headaches began after a car accident or sports injury, we can document findings and coordinate with your medical providers and insurance carrier.
Ready to find out whether your neck is behind your headaches? Our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can book an appointment online.
Why choose chiropractic
Chiropractic care vs. the typical headache routine
| Comparison factor | Chiropractic Care | Pain Meds & Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Addresses the root cause | ✓Corrects cervical mechanics | ✕Masks the symptoms |
| Drug-free & non-invasive | ✓Always | ✕Rarely |
| Risk of dependency or rebound | ✓None | ✕Medication-overuse headache is real |
| Personalized to your headache type | ✓Custom care plan | ✕One-size-fits-all protocols |
| Works to reduce frequency | ✓A goal of every care plan | ✕Often relies on ongoing medication |
| Addresses posture and lifestyle | ✓Included in your plan | ✕Seldom addressed |
Treatment options
Services we use to relieve headaches & migraines
Chiropractic Care
Gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments in Novato, CA that restore motion to restricted joints and relieve back pain, neck pain, and headaches at the source.
Learn more →Arthrostim Adjusting
Gentle Arthrostim adjusting in Novato, CA — rapid, low-force instrument impulses help restore joint motion without twisting or cracking. Book your first visit.
Learn more →Myofascial Release
Myofascial release in Novato, CA — slow, sustained hands-on pressure that frees tight fascia to ease neck, back, shoulder, and arm pain. Book your first visit.
Learn more →Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy in Novato, CA — corrective exercise, manual therapy, and rehab that rebuild strength and help keep back, neck, and shoulder pain from returning.
Learn more →Palmer/Gonstead Technique
Palmer/Gonstead Technique in Novato, CA — a detailed full-spine analysis, then a precise hands-on adjustment to the joint behind your pain. Book an exam.
Learn more →Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in Novato
Patient reviews
What our Novato patients say
“I had a great experience at DeSalvo Chiropractic! Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and professional, and I felt comfortable from the moment I walked in. They took the time to listen to my concerns and made sure I understood what they were doing throughout my visit.”
“Great chiropractic service! The staff was friendly and professional, and I felt comfortable throughout my visit. The treatment was helpful, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for quality chiropractic care.”
“I am an avid tennis player with the usual tennis injuries and Dr. Desalvo has helped me play again without pain!”
Can a chiropractor help with migraines?
It can help some people. Research suggests spinal manipulation and soft-tissue work may reduce migraine frequency and intensity for some patients, particularly when neck tension is a trigger. Chiropractic isn't a cure, but it can be a helpful, drug-free part of your migraine plan alongside your medical providers.
What is a cervicogenic headache?
A cervicogenic headache originates in the joints or muscles of the cervical spine — usually the upper neck — and refers pain into the head. It's often mistaken for tension headache or migraine. A hands-on chiropractic exam can identify whether your neck is the true source.
What causes headaches?
Most everyday headaches are tension-type or cervicogenic — driven by muscle tightness, joint restriction, poor posture, stress, or dehydration. Migraines involve a more complex neurological process and are often triggered by hormonal changes, foods, sleep disruption, or sensory stimuli. Identifying your headache type is the first step to treating it properly.
How do I get rid of a tension headache?
In the short term, hydration, gentle neck stretches, a cold or warm pack at the base of the skull, and reducing screen time can help. For recurring tension headaches, a helpful long-term approach is easing the cervical joint restriction and muscle tension that keep producing them — which is what chiropractic adjustments and myofascial release are designed to do.
When should I see a chiropractor for headaches?
If your headaches happen more than a few times a month, interrupt work or daily life, or don't respond well to over-the-counter medication, a chiropractic exam is a smart next step. The sooner we find the mechanical cause, the sooner we can start the right care.
Are there headache red flags I should know about?
Yes. A sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache, headache after a head injury, headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, vision changes, or weakness are red-flag signs that need emergency or specialist evaluation — not chiropractic care. We screen for these during your exam and refer immediately when we see them.
How many visits will it take to see improvement?
It depends on how long you've had the headaches and their underlying cause. Many patients notice reduced frequency or intensity within the first two to four weeks of care. Dr. DeSalvo will give you a specific, time-bound plan after your exam — never open-ended visits.
Will my insurance cover headache treatment?
We accept many major insurance plans and offer affordable self-pay options. Send us your insurance information and we'll verify your benefits before your first appointment.
Do you treat headaches caused by a car accident or whiplash?
Absolutely. Post-traumatic headaches following whiplash or a car accident are a common reason patients from Novato and across Marin County come to see us. We can also document your injuries for insurance purposes.
What is the difference between a tension headache and a migraine?
Tension headaches typically feel like a band of pressure around the head and are usually bilateral, mild to moderate, and not worsened by activity. Migraines are often one-sided, throbbing, moderate to severe, and accompanied by nausea or light sensitivity. Both can have a cervical component that chiropractic care addresses effectively.