If you’ve tried painkillers, a new pillow, and less screen time but the headaches keep coming back, you’re not alone.
At McAuley Family Chiropractic, Dr. Patrick McAuley works as a headache and migraine relief chiropractor for patients in Federal Way and Puyallup, focusing on the neck tension, posture, and muscle tightness that often play a role in recurring headaches. Our gentle, individualized care is designed to help you find headache and migraine relief that fits your life. Call (253) 874-9001 to schedule a visit.
Lasting Relief When Headaches Keep Coming Back
Maybe it’s a dull band of pressure that builds every afternoon at your desk. Maybe it’s pain that starts at the base of your skull and wraps around toward your eyes, or a stiff neck that never fully settled after a car accident. For some people, it’s migraines that wipe out an entire day several times a month.
Many of these headaches are connected to how the neck, upper back, and surrounding muscles are working. When joints in the upper neck don’t move well or muscles stay tight for long periods, the result can be recurring pain.
As a headache relief chiropractor, Dr. McAuley looks at the whole picture, from posture and movement to daily habits, and builds a plan focused on easing tension and helping your body function more comfortably. Care is gentle, and we’ll always explain what we’re doing and why.
Types of Headaches We Help Treat
Not all headaches are the same, and understanding your type helps guide your care. If you’re looking for a chiropractor for headaches, these are the patterns we see most often.
Tension Headaches
A tension headache often feels like a tight band or steady pressure around the forehead, temples, or back of the head. These headaches are commonly linked to stress, long hours of desk work, poor posture, and tight muscles in the neck and shoulders. Trigger points, which are tender knots in the muscles, can also refer pain into the head. As a chiropractor for tension headaches, Dr. McAuley focuses on easing muscle tension, improving how your neck moves, and helping you adjust the posture habits that may be contributing.
Cervicogenic Headaches (Neck-Related)
A cervicogenic headache starts in the neck. Pain usually begins at the base of the skull and may spread to one side of the head or behind the eye, often getting worse with certain neck movements or long periods in one position. If you’re looking for a chiropractor for neck pain and headaches, this is often the type we evaluate. Because the source is in the neck, care may focus on the joints and muscles of the upper spine, alongside our neck pain treatment approach.
Migraines
Migraines are more than bad headaches. They often cause throbbing pain, frequently on one side of the head, and may come with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, about 12% of Americans experience migraines. Many people search for a chiropractor for migraines hoping for a different approach when medication alone isn’t enough.
Research on chiropractic for migraines is still mixed, and chiropractic care isn’t a cure. However, many patients find that addressing neck tension, posture, and lifestyle-related headache triggers helps them feel more in control. Dr. McAuley works alongside your medical care, not in place of it, and will be honest about what chiropractic care may and may not help with.
Headaches After a Car Accident or Concussion
Headaches are common after car accidents, especially when whiplash strains the muscles and joints of the neck. Some headaches also follow a concussion. If your headaches began after a crash, our whiplash chiropractic care and broader auto accident injury care may help address the neck injuries involved. If you’ve had a head injury, we’ll make sure you’ve been medically evaluated first and can coordinate with your providers on concussion care.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Relieve Headaches
As a chiropractor for headache relief, Dr. McAuley focuses on the parts of the body that commonly contribute to recurring headaches: the joints of the neck and upper back, the surrounding muscles, and the daily habits that keep them under strain. Chiropractic treatment for headaches at our clinic combines several gentle approaches tailored to you.
Gentle Adjustments for the Neck and Upper Back
A chiropractic adjustment for headaches uses controlled, precise movements to improve motion in joints that aren’t moving well, especially in the upper neck and upper back. Spinal adjustment techniques can be adapted to your comfort level, and gentler options are available if you’re nervous about having your neck adjusted. Dr. McAuley will explain each step, check in with you throughout, and never use a technique you’re not comfortable with.
Soft Tissue Work, Massage, and Posture Support
Tight muscles and trigger points in the neck, shoulders, and upper back can contribute to headache pain. Soft tissue techniques and massage therapy can help relax these muscles and improve circulation. We also look at posture, especially for people who spend long hours at a desk or looking down at a phone, and recommend simple stretches and adjustments to your workstation that may reduce strain.
A Plan Built Around Your Headache Triggers
Everyone’s headaches are different, so your plan should be too. We’ll talk about your headache triggers, such as stress, screen time, sleep habits, hydration, and desk setup, and build a plan that combines in-office care with practical steps you can take at home. As your symptoms change, we’ll adjust your plan accordingly.
When a Headache Needs Medical Attention First
Most headaches aren’t dangerous, but some symptoms need a doctor or emergency care right away. Seek medical attention first if you experience:
- A sudden, severe headache: Especially one that feels like the worst headache of your life.
- Neurological symptoms: Weakness, numbness, confusion, vision changes, or trouble speaking.
- Fever with a stiff neck: Particularly if you also feel very ill.
- A headache after a head injury: Especially if symptoms are worsening.
- A major change in your headaches: New headaches after age 50, or a sudden change in pattern.
If any of these apply, please see a medical provider before starting chiropractic care.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit for chiropractic care for migraines and headaches starts with a conversation. Dr. McAuley will ask about your headaches, including when they started, how often they happen, what they feel like, and what seems to trigger them, along with your health history and any past injuries.
Next comes a gentle exam of your posture, neck and upper back movement, and muscle tension. If needed, imaging may be recommended or you may be referred to another provider. Dr. McAuley will then explain what he found, talk through your options, and build a plan together with you. If chiropractic care is a good fit and you’re comfortable, treatment may begin the same day. We offer free consultations and flexible payment options so you can get started with confidence.
Headache and Migraine Care in Federal Way and Puyallup
McAuley Family Chiropractic serves patients from two convenient clinics in Federal Way and Puyallup. If you’re searching for a chiropractor for headaches or a headaches and migraines chiropractor close to home, our team provides gentle, individualized care at both locations. Whether you’re looking for headache relief in Federal Way or headache relief in Puyallup, you’ll receive the same personal attention from Dr. McAuley, who has more than 20 years of experience helping his clients get the relief they deserve.
Our Federal Way clinic serves patients throughout South King County, and our Puyallup location makes care easy to reach for families across Pierce County. If you’ve been searching for a chiropractor for migraines near me, call (253) 874-9001 to schedule at the clinic that works best for you.
Book Your Headache Relief Appointment Today
You don’t have to keep planning your days around headaches. Dr. McAuley offers gentle, personalized care for patients looking for headache and migraine relief in Federal Way and Puyallup. As a headache relief chiropractor with more than 20 years of experience, he’ll take the time to understand your symptoms and build a plan that fits your needs.
Schedule at Our Federal Way or Puyallup Clinic
Call (253) 874-9001 or request an appointment online to schedule at either location. Free consultations and flexible payment options are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor help with migraines?
Research on chiropractic care for migraines is mixed, and it isn’t a cure. Some patients find that addressing neck tension, posture, and triggers helps them manage their migraines alongside their medical care. You can learn more in our article on whether a chiropractor can help with headaches.
Can neck pain cause headaches?
Yes. Cervicogenic headaches start in the neck and often cause pain at the base of the skull that spreads toward the head or eyes. Tight neck and shoulder muscles can also contribute to tension headaches.
Is it normal to get a headache after a chiropractic adjustment?
Some people experience a mild, temporary headache, soreness, or tiredness after an adjustment, and these effects usually fade within a day or two. If you notice anything severe or unusual, contact us and seek medical care if needed.
How many visits does it take to feel relief?
It depends on your headache type, how long you’ve had symptoms, and your overall health. Some patients notice changes within a few visits, while others benefit from care over several weeks. We’ll review your progress regularly and adjust your plan as needed.
Is chiropractic care for headaches covered by insurance?
Many health insurance plans include chiropractic benefits, and auto insurance may cover care after a car accident. Our team can help you understand your health insurance coverage and payment options before you begin.
