Headache Relief in Mount Prospect, IL
Evidence-based, drug-free chiropractic care for headaches — serving Mount Prospect and Chicago’s northwest suburbs since 1999.
WHAT IS A HEADACHE?
Evidence-Based Care That Gets Results
Headache is one of the most common reasons people seek care, but not all headaches are the same — and the right treatment depends on which type you have. The three most common types we see are tension-type headache (a dull, band-like tightness across the head), cervicogenic headache (pain that actually originates in the neck), and migraine (often one-sided, throbbing pain, sometimes with nausea or light sensitivity).
Getting the type right matters, since the research support for chiropractic care is different for each one — cervicogenic headache has the strongest evidence, tension-type headache responds best to a combination of techniques, and migraine often benefits most from a broader, multidisciplinary plan. Dr. Vijay Patel and Dr. Hannah Synon start by identifying which type of headache you have, then build a plan around what the research actually supports for that type.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Headache Types We Treat
Our Mount Prospect office treats all of the following:
Migraine
Often one-sided, throbbing headaches, sometimes with nausea or light sensitivity.
Tension-Type Headache
The most common type — a dull, band-like tightness across the head, often tied to muscle tension.
Cervicogenic Headache
Headache pain that actually originates in the neck, from irritated joints or muscles at the base of the skull.
Post-Traumatic Headache
Headache following a whiplash injury, concussion, or other head or neck trauma.
Posture-Related Headache ("Tech Neck")
Chronic strain from prolonged phone, computer, or desk use radiating into head pain.
Chronic Daily Headache
Headaches occurring frequently, often from a combination of the types above.
HOW WE TREAT HEADACHES
A Full Range of Chiropractic Care
Which techniques help most depends on your headache type. Depending on your diagnosis, your plan may combine several of the following, all delivered by Dr. Patel or Dr. Synon:
Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise, controlled adjustments to the cervical spine, most strongly supported for headaches originating in the neck.
Joint Mobilization & Soft-Tissue Work
Gentler joint mobilization, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy — the most consistently supported approach for tension-type headache.
Therapeutic Exercise
Targeted neck and postural strengthening to help reduce how often headaches occur.
Acupuncture
Targeted acupuncture to help reduce headache frequency and severity.
Dry Needling
A thin filament needle used to release tight, painful muscle bands in the neck and shoulders that can trigger headaches — drug-free, with no downtime.
Education & Self-Management
Guidance on triggers, posture, and stress management, recommended alongside hands-on care.
YOUR FIRST VISIT
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Step 1: Comprehensive Evaluation. Your first visit includes a full health history and physical exam, with a focus on your neck. Dr. Patel or Dr. Synon will screen for symptoms that need medical attention, then assess your cervical spine, posture, and neurological function to help determine what type of headache you have and where it’s coming from.
Step 2: Your Personalized Treatment Plan. Based on your evaluation, your chiropractor will explain what’s likely driving your headaches and recommend a plan built around your specific diagnosis — for most patients, this means combining chiropractic adjustments with joint mobilization, soft-tissue work, and guidance on triggers and posture, not adjustments alone.
Step 3: Treatment and Progress. Joint mobilization, soft-tissue work, and adjustments to the cervical spine work together to reduce irritation at the source, while targeted exercise and self-management strategies help keep headaches from coming back. Many patients notice improvement within the first several visits, and we reassess regularly to keep your plan on track.
WHY CHOOSE APMT
Why Patients Choose Advanced Physical Medicine & Therapy
25+ Years of Experience
Board-certified chiropractors serving Mount Prospect for over 25 years.
Evidence-Based Approach
Treatment recommendations grounded in current clinical research.
Integrated Care
Chiropractic, physical therapy, pain management and wellness care — all under one roof.
Thorough Evaluation
Careful screening before treatment, including referrals when needed.
97% Would Refer a Friend
Patient satisfaction backed by real outcomes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Headaches
Does chiropractic care help cervicogenic headaches (headaches from the neck)?
Cervicogenic headache — head pain that actually starts in the neck — has the strongest research support of the three headache types. A 2026 clinical practice guideline for chiropractic headache management (Trager et al., Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine) gives spinal manipulation a strong recommendation based on high-certainty evidence specifically for cervicogenic headache, with added benefit from combining it with joint mobilization or soft-tissue work.
Does chiropractic care help tension-type headaches?
It can, but not from adjustments alone. The same 2026 clinical practice guideline found that spinal manipulation by itself should not be used for tension-type headache — instead, it strongly recommends joint mobilization and soft-tissue techniques, with a weaker recommendation for adding spinal manipulation to that combination. Education and self-management strategies, like identifying triggers and managing stress, are also strongly recommended alongside hands-on care.
Can the treatment we offer help with migraines?
Getting the type right matters, since the research support for chiropractic care is different for each one — cervicogenic headache has the strongest evidence, tension-type headache responds best to a combination of techniques, and migraine often benefits most from a broader, multidisciplinary plan. Dr. Vijay Patel and Dr. Hannah Synon start by identifying which type of headache you have, then build a plan around what the research actually supports for that type.
What treatment techniques do you use for headaches?
Headaches rarely respond to just one technique, and the research bears that out — the strongest recommendations are for combining approaches rather than adjustments alone. Dr. Patel and Dr. Synon draw on cervical spine adjustments, joint mobilization, soft-tissue work like myofascial release and trigger point therapy, targeted exercise, acupuncture, dry needling, and education on triggers and posture. Your plan is built around your specific headache type, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on your headache type, how long you’ve had symptoms, and your goals. Some patients feel meaningful relief in 3 to 6 visits; a chronic or long-standing case may need a longer plan. Dr. Patel or Dr. Synon will give you an honest recommendation after your evaluation.
Does insurance cover treatment for headaches?
Most major plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Medicare, cover medically necessary chiropractic care. We have cash treatment plans for patients who do not have insurance or have out-of-network plans. Our front desk verifies your benefits before your first visit. We also see workers’ compensation and personal injury cases.
Ready to Get Relief from Headaches?
Call our Mount Prospect office at 847-222-9060 or request an appointment online. Same-week appointments are often available.
EXPLORE MORE
Other Ways We Can Help
Neck Pain
Many headaches, especially cervicogenic ones, start in the neck.
Hip Pain
Evidence-based care for hip conditions.
Sciatica
Radiating leg pain from a low back condition.
Chiropractic Care
Our core evidence-based treatment approach.