Headaches & Migraines: Understanding and Treating the Root Cause
As anyone with them knows, frequent headaches and migraines can be life-altering. What starts as an occasional disruption can quickly evolve into a persistent, invisible burden—interrupting work, sleep, relationships, and the ability to simply function day to day.
We understand that chronic head pain isn’t just a symptom—it’s a warning sign. Lasting relief requires more than symptom suppression; it begins with identifying and treating the root cause.
Whether your headaches stem from nerve irritation, trauma, cervical instability, or a combination of overlapping factors, our team uses targeted, regenerative, and interventional therapies to create a treatment plan that addresses the origin of your pain—not just the surface-level effects.
The Types of Headaches We Treat
Because not all headaches originate in the same place—or respond to the same treatment—it’s critical to first determine the type of headache you’re experiencing.
These are the most common types of headaches we treat:
- Cervicogenic Headaches: These headaches originate from dysfunction in the cervical spine (neck) and are often triggered by poor posture, joint instability, and/or muscle imbalances.
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): TMJ dysfunction can lead to jaw pain that radiates into the temples or behind the eyes.
- Tension Headaches: Tension headaches, usually from stress, poor posture, or muscle imbalance often feel like a tight band around the head and are commonly linked to muscular tightness.
- Migraine Headaches: More than just severe headaches, migraines may include visual disturbances, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and disabling pain.
- Occipital Neuralgia: Caused by irritation or entrapment of the occipital nerves, this condition produces sharp, shooting, or electric-like pain that radiates to the scalp.
Common Causes Behind Chronic Head Pain
Headaches and migraines can have multiple contributing factors, and in many cases, the true source of pain isn’t obvious—and may not even be in the head itself. That’s why lasting relief begins with an accurate diagnosis.
Some of the most common root causes of headaches and migraines include:
- Poor posture and structural imbalance
- TMJ dysfunction or jaw misalignment
- Nerve entrapment
- Myofascial trigger points in the neck, shoulders, or scalp
- Hormonal or vascular triggers for migraines
- Stress and chronic muscular tension
- Ligament injury or instability
- Whiplash Associated DIsorder (WAD)
When you visit CHARM, you receive a comprehensive, whole-person approach to uncovering what’s driving your symptoms so we can treat the cause—not just manage the pain.
How CHARM Diagnoses the Source of Your Headaches
Our diagnostic process begins with a thorough neurological and physical examination and a detailed assessment of your movement patterns, posture, and musculoskeletal structure. Many headache disorders are rooted in biomechanical dysfunction—particularly in the neck, jaw, or surrounding soft tissue—and these often go unrecognized in standard evaluations.
We also listen carefully. Your history—how your symptoms began, what aggravates them, and what you’ve tried—provides critical insight. We take the time to understand what you’re feeling and how your headaches impact your daily life.
When needed, we utilize advanced functional imaging to evaluate further structural or nerve-related issues contributing to your condition. This integrative approach allows us to identify the root cause and build a treatment strategy that supports long-term pain relief and functional restoration.
Non-Surgical Healing and Treatment Options
- PRP Injections: Platelet-rich plasma, derived from your blood, delivers concentrated growth factors to damaged tissues, accelerating repair and reducing inflammation at the root of your headaches.
- Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC): BMAC therapy may help reduce chronic headaches and migraines by delivering regenerative cells directly to the structural musculoskeletal issues causing them.
- Prolotherapy: Prolotherapy stimulates the body’s natural healing response by strengthening weakened ligaments and tendons that may contribute to headache pain.
- Trigger Point Injections: These are precise injections into tight or spasming muscles that help release tension and restore proper function, alleviating headaches that stem from chronic muscle strain.
- Occipital Nerve Blocks / Epidurals: Targeted injections around irritated nerves at the base of the skull or spine can quiet nerve pain, reduce inflammation, and provide significant relief for occipital neuralgia and certain migraine patterns.
- Clinical Botox®: When used therapeutically, Botox® can relax overactive muscles and decrease pain signaling pathways, offering proven relief for chronic migraine sufferers.
Why Choose CHARM for Headache & Migraine Treatment?
At CHARM, we view headaches and migraines as part of a larger structural and functional picture—not isolated events to suppress. We focus on identifying the root causes that fuel your pain and addressing them with precision therapies that support long-term healing.
To do this, our team of specialists collaborates across regenerative, interventional, and therapeutic disciplines to create truly comprehensive care plans. With a convenient Austin location and an on-site regenerative medicine lab, we’re uniquely positioned to deliver both efficiency and excellence in care.
If you’re ready to move beyond short-term fixes and take the next step toward lasting headache and migraine relief, request an appointment or call us at 512-614-3300 today. Your path to healing starts here.