Glen Matejka, D.C.

The 2022 Global Burden of Disease study listed headaches as one of the most prevalent and disabling conditions worldwide, noting that more than half of adults actively suffer from headaches and nearly 5% of adults report headaches on more than 15 days per month. Because headaches come in many forms (at least 300 distinct types [..]

According to a 2015 study, 85.7% of headache patients also experience neck pain, a percentage about 50% greater than the non-headache population. Additionally, several studies have shown that treatment to address musculoskeletal issues in the neck can reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of several types of headaches, including migraines. One of the most important [..]

Patients with tension-type headaches (TTH) often experience neck pain and stiffness, which may be a contributing factor in their present headaches. Thus, it’s not uncommon for a doctor of chiropractic to use manual therapies and provide home exercise instruction focused on improving neck function in the effort to reduce headache frequency and intensity. It may [..]

The sinuses are cavities in the skull that rest just behind the face, which help humidify the air we breathe and may even enhance the human voice. It’s common for patients with a headache in this area to refer to it as a sinus headache; however, the lay term “sinus headache” is somewhat controversial because [..]

Cervicogenic headache is defined as a headache caused by a cervical spine disorder. This type of headache is estimated to account for up to 20% of headache cases. The primary features of cervicogenic headache usually include unilateral head pain (one side only), limited neck range of motion, and are triggered by various awkward or sustained [..]

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a term used to describe non-mainstream healthcare approaches—which includes chiropractic care—that are used in conjunction with or in place of conventional medicine. Because the usual treatment approach for headaches often involves medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and acetaminophen—which can cause side effects can affect the stomach, liver, and/or [..]

By some estimates, up to 20% of headaches are caused by a disorder of the cervical spine and its components (bone, disk, and soft tissue) usually accompanied by neck pain. It’s very common for patients with a cervicogenic headache to seek and receive manual therapies—like spinal manipulation and mobilization—from chiropractic care. Spinal manipulation is characterized [..]

There are many types of headache and each has an underlying cause that must be addressed to achieve a satisfactory outcome. A 2020 review of research from the previous two decades suggests that the best conservative, non-pharmaceutical approach for headaches may involve either a top-down or bottom-up approach. When the primary cause of a headache [..]

For adults under 50 years of age, migraine headaches are one of the leading causes of disability. There are several potential underlying causes for the condition, of which one appears to be a proinflammatory and oxidative state in the body. Fortunately, this can be addressed through healthier lifestyle choices. Low-grade or systemic inflammation happens when [..]

Migraines are characterized by recurrent headache and a hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli that can trigger an episode. Unfortunately, migraine triggers can vary from patient to patient, which can make understanding and managing the patient’s condition a difficult proposition for both the patient and their doctor. In one study, researchers reviewed data from surveys, patient diaries, [..]