Headache and Migraine Chiropractor in Sandy Springs, GA
Headache and Migraine care in Sandy Springs, GA
Not all headaches are the same, and they should not all be treated the same. Tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches that start in the neck, and migraines overlap, but they behave differently and respond to different care. At Excel Chiropractic we take a careful history — where the pain starts, what triggers it, what helps — and examine the neck, upper back, and jaw, which are common and often missed contributors.
Signs and symptoms we assess
- Dull, tight, band-like pressure (tension pattern)
- Pain starting in the neck or base of the skull and moving forward
- One-sided throbbing pain with nausea or light sensitivity (migraine pattern)
- Headaches after long desk days or poor sleep
- Headaches paired with jaw clenching or neck stiffness
Common causes and contributors
- Neck and upper-back joint restriction and muscle tension
- Jaw (TMJ) dysfunction and teeth clenching
- Poor sleep, dehydration, and skipped meals
- Screen posture and eye strain
- Hormonal and other migraine triggers that need medical co-management
No single cause explains every case. Two people can describe the same pain and need different plans, which is why the examination — not the symptom list — decides what we do.
Common causes and contributors
- Neck and upper-back joint restriction and muscle tension
- Jaw (TMJ) dysfunction and teeth clenching
- Poor sleep, dehydration, and skipped meals
- Screen posture and eye strain
- Hormonal and other migraine triggers that need medical co-management
No single cause explains every case. Two people can describe the same pain and need different plans, which is why the examination — not the symptom list — decides what we do.
What care looks like at Excel Chiropractic
- Headache history and trigger review, plus neck, jaw, and neurological screening
- Adjustments and soft-tissue work for the neck and upper back where examination shows restriction
- Jaw assessment and referral or co-care where TMJ problems are central (see our TMJ page)
- Practical trigger plan: sleep, hydration, screen breaks, and posture
- Honest referral for medical evaluation when a headache pattern needs it
Care at Excel is structural and specific: find the joints and tissues that are not doing their job, restore movement where it is restricted, calm the tissues protecting the area, and give you the smallest set of home changes that will actually hold the result. We re-examine at set points rather than continuing indefinitely without evidence of change. If we find something outside chiropractic scope, we will say so and help you get to the right provider.
What happens at your first visit
Your first visit is an examination visit, not a sales pitch. We start with your history: when this began, what makes it better or worse, what treatment you have already tried, and what it is stopping you from doing. Then we examine movement, joints, muscles, and nerve function as they relate to your complaint, and explain what we found in plain language before any care begins. You will leave knowing what we think is going on, what we recommend, how long we expect it to take, what it will cost, and when we will re-check whether it is working. If your case needs imaging, medical care, or a different specialist first, we will tell you that on day one. Book through the Schedule page with the $21 New-Patient Special: Get your Chiropractic Evaluation, Report of Findings, AND a Graston Soft-Tissue Treatment Session for Only $21! The special does not include a massage.
What helps between visits
Progress is rarely made in the treatment room alone. Between visits, the patients who do best keep moving within the limits we set, apply the home guidance consistently rather than intensely, and pay attention to patterns — what time of day symptoms peak, which activities reliably provoke them, and which reliably help. Write those patterns down and bring them in. They often tell us more about what is driving your problem than a single pain score, and they let us adjust the plan on evidence instead of guesswork. If something we recommended flares your symptoms for more than a day, tell us rather than pushing through it.
When to get checked promptly
Get urgent medical care for a sudden ‘worst ever’ headache, headache with weakness, confusion, fainting, fever and stiff neck, a new headache pattern after age 50, or headaches that steadily worsen.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chiropractor help migraines?
Some migraine patients find that treating neck and jaw contributors reduces how often headaches are triggered or how intense they feel. Migraines have many triggers, so we will be direct about what we can and cannot influence in your case.
Do I need to stop my headache medication?
No. Do not change prescribed medication on our advice. We are happy to work alongside your medical care and share findings with your doctor with your permission.
What should I track before my visit?
For two weeks, note when each headache starts, where you feel it, what you ate and how you slept, screen hours, and what helped. That diary often reveals the pattern faster than any single test.
Related pages
By Dr. Ben Cohen, DC, Excel Chiropractic — Last reviewed: October 27, 2026
Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and is not medical advice. It does not replace an examination or advice for your individual situation. If you have severe, worsening, or urgent symptoms, seek prompt medical care.
Book Your $21 Special!
Get your Chiropractic Evaluation, Report of Findings, AND a Graston Soft-Tissue Treatment Session for Only $21!