Conditions We Treat
A meaningful fraction of headaches are driven by the neck, jaw, or shoulders — not by the brain. Cervicogenic and tension-type headaches respond very well to manual therapy and dry needling. We're not chasing migraines as a primary diagnosis, but if a structural component is feeding them, PT can reduce frequency and intensity.
Cervicogenic headaches (driven by upper-cervical joint dysfunction), tension-type headaches (driven by myofascial tightness and posture), post-concussion headaches with a cervical or vestibular component, and migraine prevention work when neck or jaw triggers contribute. Pure neurological migraine remains a medical management problem.
Sixty-minute evaluation. Cervical spine assessment (especially the upper three cervical segments and the suboccipital region), thoracic mobility screen, jaw screen, breath and postural assessment, and a careful symptom history to identify triggers.
Manual therapy for the upper cervical spine and suboccipitals (strongest evidence for cervicogenic headache). Dry needling for upper trap, levator scapulae, and suboccipital trigger points (high evidence for tension headaches). Postural retraining for desk workers. Deep cervical flexor activation. TMJ work when the jaw is contributing.
We work alongside neurology and primary care. PT isn't a substitute for migraine medications when those are working; it's a complementary intervention that often reduces frequency.
Medicare, CareFirst, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare. Self-pay $150. Capitol Hill, Bethesda, and in-home.
Same-week evaluations at Capitol Hill, Bethesda, and in-home throughout the DMV.
Book a Headache EvaluationYes — for cervicogenic and tension-type headaches, the evidence is strong. For migraines with neck or jaw triggers, PT often reduces frequency. Pure neurological migraines need medical management as the primary approach.
Cervicogenic headaches are driven by neck dysfunction — they typically start at the base of the skull and radiate forward. Migraines have a neurological pattern (often with light/sound sensitivity, nausea, aura). The two can coexist.
Yes — particularly effective for upper trap and suboccipital trigger points that drive tension-type and cervicogenic headaches. We follow strict anatomical landmarks.
Most patients notice headache frequency drop within 4–6 sessions. Chronic cases take longer but typically improve.
Don't change your medication regimen without talking to your prescriber. PT and medical management work together.