Headaches

July 28, 2026

Chiropractic Management of Headaches: A Retrospective Case Series from a Private Practice

Background: Headaches, including migraines and tension-type, are a common and debilitating condition. Many cases have a cervicogenic component, suggesting that manual therapies targeting the cervical spine may be beneficial. This article reviews patient outcomes following chiropractic care. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted on 16 patients treated for headaches at Back To Health Chiropractic in Zeeland, MI. Data were extracted from patient files, including primary complaint, baseline and post-treatment status. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of self-reported pain reduction. Interventions included chiropractic adjustments, corrective exercises, and other modalities such as laser therapy and SoftWave therapy. Results: The cohort of 16 patients reported a mean pain reduction of 86% (median 89%). Patients presented with conditions described as recurring migraines, chronic daily headaches, and frequent tension headaches. Functionally, many patients reported a return to normal activities and a significant decrease in headache frequency and intensity. Conclusion: The findings from this retrospective case series suggest that a multimodal chiropractic treatment approach may be effective in reducing pain and improving function for patients with various headache types. The results are promising, but due to the study's limitations, further research with controlled designs is warranted.