Chronic Neck Tension, Migraines & Dizziness: Gala, Age 52
Patient history with headaches and migraines
Gala had been dealing with years of constant tension in her neck and shoulders.
Over time, that tension began to trigger severe migraines, the kind that completely disrupted her life.
When a migraine hit:
- She often had to lie down immediately
- Light and movement became unbearable
- Nausea would set in quickly
- She frequently became so sick she would vomit, often without having eaten
On top of that, she regularly experienced dizziness, adding another layer of discomfort and unpredictability to her days.
Like many people in this situation, Gala tried to manage her symptoms but nothing was truly resolving the problem.
The Turning Point
Looking for a different approach, Gala began care at Atlas Chiropractic.
Instead of focusing only on symptom relief, the goal was to address the underlying cause of the tension and neurological stress contributing to her migraines and dizziness.
She started with bi-weekly upper cervical chiropractic adjustments, allowing her body to begin stabilizing and healing.
Gala’s Results At Atlas Chiropractic
Over time, something significant changed.
- Her migraines became far less frequent
- The intensity of her symptoms dramatically decreased
- The constant tension in her neck and shoulders improved
- Episodes of dizziness reduced
Today, Gala shares:
“Truly it is rare that I experience this level of misery anymore.”
What was once a regular, debilitating experience is now no longer a normal part of her life.
Ongoing Care & Maintenance
As her condition improved and stabilized, Gala was able to reduce her visit frequency.
What started as bi-weekly appointments has now transitioned to about once per month focused on maintaining alignment and preventing the return of symptoms.
Patient Perspective
Gala describes her experience simply:
“I couldn’t be more thankful… she continues to help me feel better.”
Key Takeaway
Gala’s case highlights something we see often:
Chronic migraines, tension, and dizziness are not always standalone issues
they can be connected to underlying dysfunction in the neck and nervous system
When that is addressed, real and lasting change becomes possible.
If you’re dealing with similar symptoms, you can learn more about how we approach headache cases here headache service page
Case Study: Resolving Chronic Tension Headaches Through Upper Cervical Care
Patient: Wyatt, 30-year-old male, office worker
Date of Visit: 10/20/2020
Primary Complaint: Tension headaches
Patient History
Wyatt’s tension headaches began last November, initially triggered by wearing glasses, despite proper fit and prescription. The pain was achy, moderate, and experienced constantly (75–100% of the time), radiating into his arm.
Previous symptom management included:
- Medication
- Laying down
- Stretching
- Ice
Symptoms aggravated by: Heat
Pain ratings:
- Head: 6/10 (10 = incapacitated)
- Arm numbness: 3/10
Clinical Findings
- Cervical fixation: C1, C2 bilaterally
- Cervical hypertonic muscles: C1–C6 bilaterally
- Thoracic hypertonic muscles: T5–T9 bilaterally
- Thermographic study: Neuropathophysiology present
Patient-Reported Symptoms Before Care
“I was experiencing debilitating tension headaches, brain fog and exhaustion.”
“The headaches prevented me from doing so much. Working became much more difficult and even when I did work well for a while, staring at the computer and having a desk posture would just make things worse for after work.”
Previous Treatments Attempted
“Before coming to Atlas, I did everything I could possibly think of to combat the headaches. My primary care gave me medicine that made me drowsy and altered my resting heart rate. I saw a spinal specialist that took x-rays and MRIs that led to nothing. And that’s not to mention the money I spent on posture devices, PT, and even a new office chair trying to find relief.”
Treatment and Progress
- Wyatt received targeted upper cervical chiropractic care addressing cervical fixation, muscle hypertonicity, and nervous system dysfunction.
- Immediate relief was noted after the first session, with lasting improvements over subsequent visits.
Patient-Reported Outcomes
- “I noticed improvement almost immediately after the first session. It took a few more sessions to have lasting relief but the immediate help was so encouraging.”
- “I can finally get through a day without being hindered by a headache. I can work out again and socialize without concern for headaches slowing me down.”
Key Takeaways
- Personalized upper cervical care can rapidly reduce tension headache severity and associated symptoms like brain fog and exhaustion.
- Targeting cervical fixation and muscle hypertonicity can restore nervous system function and improve quality of life.
- Even patients who have tried multiple medications, physical therapy, and ergonomic interventions may experience significant relief with individualized chiropractic care.