Headache & Migraine Relief in Gray, Maine
Gonstead-specific chiropractic care that looks for the source of the headache, not just the symptom.
Recurring headaches — including tension headaches and migraines — are frequently linked to dysfunction in the upper cervical spine, where nerve irritation and restricted motion can refer pain into the head. At Mainestream Health Co., we use the Gonstead method to identify exactly which spinal segments are involved before recommending any care, rather than treating the head in isolation from the neck it's attached to.
Why headaches are rarely a one-part-of-the-spine problem
Headaches are multifactorial — the spinal contribution isn't limited to the neck. Dysfunction anywhere in the cervical spine or the upper thoracic spine can refer pain into the head, and in our clinical experience, true migraines are often driven by upper thoracic spine dysfunction, not just the neck. In fact, the majority of headaches we see trace back to the thoracic spine as much as the cervical spine. This is a big part of why a headache exam that only looks at the neck can miss the actual source.
How the Gonstead exam approaches headaches
Every new patient exam includes the same five-part Gonstead process used for any spinal complaint: visualization (posture, head carriage, shoulder height), instrumentation (Nervoscope/Delta-T scanning to locate nerve irritation), palpation (hands-on assessment in a weight-bearing position), x-ray analysis (imaging to see the actual structure, not guess at it), and case management (a fresh assessment every visit, not a one-size-fits-all routine). Your first visit includes a full history, exam, and x-rays if clinically indicated, so we can see whether — and where — spinal dysfunction may be contributing to your headaches.