Conditions
Not every headache is the same, and the type matters. A throbbing migraine, a tight band of pressure, a sharp pain behind one eye, and a headache that starts in the neck can each have a different pattern and a different set of triggers. Different headache patterns can have different drivers. We take a functional neurology approach to look at what may be contributing in your case, not just the symptoms.
This page explains the main headache types we see, what the symptoms can look like, and how we approach them at Strong Tower. It is general information, not a diagnosis.
Mayo Clinic lists several situations that call for emergency care (Mayo Clinic, July 2025).
A sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache
A headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision, numbness, or weakness
A headache after a head injury
A chronic headache that gets worse with coughing, exertion, straining, or sudden movement
A new headache after age 50
If any of these apply, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Please do not wait for an appointment with us.
Mayo Clinic describes migraine as an attack that often includes throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea or vomiting. An attack usually lasts 4 to 72 hours if untreated. Some people have warning signs a day or two before, and some feel drained afterward. Not everyone goes through every stage.
An aura is a set of temporary nervous system symptoms that can come before or during an attack. Examples include flashes of light or bright spots, vision loss, pins and needles in an arm or leg, weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body, and trouble speaking. Auras typically build over several minutes up to an hour.
Common triggers listed by Mayo Clinic include hormonal changes, alcohol and caffeine, stress, bright or flashing lights, strong smells, too little or too much sleep, weather changes, and skipped meals. Triggers vary a lot from person to person.
Tension-type headache is the most common type of headache. Mayo Clinic describes a dull, aching pain, often felt like a tight band around the head, with tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles. It usually does not come with nausea or visual disturbances. Researchers do not fully understand the cause. Older theories blamed tight muscles, but current research points to increased pain sensitivity in the nervous system, and stress is the most commonly reported trigger (Mayo Clinic, May 2026).
We look at neck and jaw tension, posture, and stress as possible contributors, since recurring tension headaches often involve more than one factor.
Cluster headache is a rare and very painful condition. Mayo Clinic describes severe, sharp or stabbing pain in, behind, or around one eye, with a red, watery eye, a drooping or swollen eyelid, and a stuffy or runny nose on the painful side. People are often restless and cannot sit still. Attacks typically last 30 to 45 minutes (range 15 minutes to 3 hours), can happen several times a day during a cluster period, and often come at the same time each day, most often at night. Cluster periods last weeks to months, and are followed by a pain-free period (Mayo Clinic, August 2025).
Mayo Clinic says the exact cause is unknown, though the pattern of attacks suggests a link to the hypothalamus, a brain area that helps regulate the body's biological clock. Alcohol and smoking are the most common triggers. It recommends seeing a healthcare professional when cluster headaches first begin so other conditions can be ruled out.
A cervicogenic headache is a headache that starts in the neck. Pain often begins at the base of the skull and spreads toward the temple, forehead, or eye, usually on the same side, and can be triggered or worsened by neck movement or sustained postures. Nerves from the upper neck share a relay station in the brainstem with the nerve that carries head and face pain, so irritation in the upper neck can be felt as pain in the head. Whiplash, forward-head posture, and earlier neck injuries are thought to be common contributors, so treating only the head may not address it.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that low-to-moderate quality evidence suggests spinal manipulation may reduce the frequency and intensity of cervicogenic headaches (NCCIH, January 2023). Dr. Wright is a Doctor of Chiropractic. You can read about that part of his care on our Chiropractic Care page.
Vestibular Migraine: migraine with dizziness, vertigo, or motion sensitivity, sometimes with little or no head pain.
Post-Concussion Syndrome: headaches that continue after a head injury.
TMJ: jaw problems that can contribute to head, face, and neck pain.
Dr. Wright is a Doctor of Chiropractic with advanced training in functional neurology. A visit starts with your history, including how often the headaches come, what they feel like, and what seems to set them off. Your evaluation can include a look at eye movements, balance, and the neck, as described on our Neurological Exam & Evaluation page.
Our care is meant to be complementary to your medical care. If your headaches are new, changing, or severe, please see your medical doctor first.
Migraine often brings throbbing pain on one side, light and sound sensitivity, and nausea. Tension-type headache is more often a dull pressure or tight band on both sides without nausea (Mayo Clinic).
Mayo Clinic says an untreated migraine attack usually lasts 4 to 72 hours.
Common triggers include hormonal changes, stress, sleep changes, certain foods and drinks, strong sensory input such as bright lights, and weather changes. Triggers differ from person to person.
Yes, a cervicogenic headache starts in the neck. A medical evaluation helps sort out whether your headaches are from the neck, are a migraine, or are something else.
People sometimes look to chiropractic care for headaches, and many use it alongside their medical care.
Mayo Clinic suggests seeing a doctor if you need headache medicine more than twice a week, if headaches disrupt daily life, or if the pattern changes. Use the emergency list above for urgent signs.
If you are looking for care close to home, see our pages for:
Next steps
Headaches that keep coming back deserve a closer look.