Headache Treatment in Victoria, BC: How Chiropractic Care and Massage Therapy Can Help
Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, and when they happen frequently they can significantly affect your quality of life. Most people have experienced the occasional headache caused by dehydration, stress, or even a late night. These headaches usually improve with rest, hydration, or time.
But when headaches become frequent, persistent, or difficult to manage, it’s important to understand the type of headache you’re experiencing. Different headaches have different causes, and identifying the right type helps determine the most effective treatment.
At Remedy Wellness Centre in Victoria, BC, our team regularly treats headaches using chiropractic care, massage therapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and naturopathic medicine to address both symptoms and underlying causes.
Below are four of the most common types of headaches and how they can be treated.
1. Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache and are often linked to muscle tension and trigger points in the neck, shoulders, jaw, and upper back.
They can be triggered by:
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Poor posture (especially desk work or screen use)
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Stress and muscle tension
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Neck joint dysfunction or misalignment
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Jaw tension or clenching
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Overexertion during exercise
Symptoms of Tension Headaches
Tension headaches usually develop gradually and may feel like:
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A dull, steady ache
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Pressure or squeezing around the head
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A tight “band” feeling across the forehead or back of the head
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Pain on both sides of the head
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Brain fog or heaviness
The location of the headache often corresponds to muscle trigger points in the neck or shoulders.
How Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Help
Tension headaches respond extremely well to hands-on care.
Massage therapy can:
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Release tight muscles and trigger points
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Improve circulation
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Reduce muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
Chiropractic care can:
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Improve joint mobility in the neck and upper spine
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Reduce nerve irritation
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Correct postural dysfunction contributing to headaches
Because tension headaches are often mechanical in nature, combining chiropractic and massage therapy can provide significant relief.
2. Migraine Headaches
Migraines are more complex and are believed to involve changes in brain chemistry and blood vessel function. Although the exact cause is not fully understood, factors such as serotonin levels may influence how blood vessels in the brain constrict and dilate.
Common Migraine Symptoms
Migraines may include:
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Severe throbbing pain
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Sensitivity to light and sound
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Nausea or vomiting
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Vertigo or dizziness
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Ringing in the ears
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Visual disturbances (auras, flashing lights, blurred vision)
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Numbness or tingling
Migraines often affect one side of the head more than the other.
Common Migraine Triggers
Many people have specific migraine triggers, including:
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Stress
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Certain foods or food sensitivities
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Strong perfumes or scents
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Hormonal fluctuations
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Loud noises
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Bright lights
- Weather changes
Treatment Options
If you experience migraines, we often recommend starting with our naturopathic physician or acupuncturist to help identify potential triggers and support nervous system regulation.
Some migraine sufferers also benefit from chiropractic care and massage therapy, particularly if neck tension contributes to their symptoms.
3. Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are rare but extremely painful and tend to occur in cycles or clusters over time.
They typically begin around one eye or temple and may spread across the same side of the face and head.
Symptoms of Cluster Headaches
Cluster headache pain is often described as:
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Sharp or stabbing
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Burning or electric shock–like
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Crushing or exploding pressure
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Intense pain around the eye or facial area
Because of the severity of symptoms, cluster headaches should be carefully evaluated.
Treatment Support
Patients experiencing cluster headaches often benefit from working with a naturopathic physician or acupuncturist to investigate potential triggers and support nervous system regulation.
4. Dehydration Headaches
Dehydration is one of the most common and easily overlooked causes of headaches.
When the body lacks adequate fluids and electrolytes, it can lead to headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
Dehydration headaches may occur due to:
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Not drinking enough water
- Not consuming enough electrolytes or salt
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High caffeine intake (caffeine is a diuretic)
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Excessive exercise without hydration
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Illness or heat exposure
In these cases, rehydration and electrolyte balance are the most effective treatments.
5. Hormone-Related Headaches
Hormonal fluctuations are a common but often overlooked cause of headaches, particularly in women. Changes in hormone levels—especially estrogen—can affect how blood vessels and pain pathways in the brain function, which may trigger headaches or migraines.
Hormone-related headaches often occur during times when estrogen levels shift, including:
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Before or during menstruation
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Around ovulation
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During pregnancy or postpartum
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During perimenopause or menopause
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When starting or stopping hormonal birth control
Symptoms of Hormonal Headaches
Hormonal headaches may feel similar to migraines or tension headaches and can include:
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Throbbing or pulsating pain
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Headaches that occur at the same time each month
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Increased sensitivity to light or sound
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Neck and shoulder tension
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Fatigue or brain fog
How Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Can Help
Hormone-related headaches are often worsened by muscle tension, stress, and nervous system imbalance, which is where manual therapies can be helpful.
Massage therapy can:
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Reduce muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
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Improve circulation
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Promote relaxation and stress reduction
Chiropractic care can:
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Improve spinal mobility and posture
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Reduce tension in the cervical spine
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Support nervous system function
For patients whose headaches are strongly linked to hormonal fluctuations, acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can also help support hormone balance and overall wellness. If there is a women’s health focused primary care clinic available in your area or a medical doctor specializing in peri-menopause, menopause or hormone therapy, it is highly recommended that you pursue this avenue of care. We can help, but we can not prescribe hormone medications.
Common Headache Triggers
Many lifestyle factors can contribute to recurring headaches, including:
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Food allergies or sensitivities
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Blood sugar fluctuations
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Dehydration or mineral imbalance
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Poor sleep
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Medication side effects
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Hormonal changes
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Exposure to toxins or chemicals
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Alcohol consumption
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High caffeine intake or caffeine withdrawal
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Bright or flickering lights
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Poor posture or workstation ergonomics
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Stress and muscle tension
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Trigger points in the neck and shoulders
Identifying triggers is often the first step toward long-term relief.
When to Consider Chiropractic or Massage Therapy for Headaches
If you experience frequent headaches, neck stiffness, or muscle tension, chiropractic care and massage therapy may help address the underlying cause.
These treatments can:
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Reduce muscle tension and trigger points
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Improve posture and spinal alignment
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Restore joint mobility in the neck
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Improve circulation
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Reduce stress on the nervous system
Many patients experience fewer headaches once neck tension, posture, and muscle imbalances are addressed.
Headache Treatment at Remedy Wellness Centre
At Remedy Wellness Centre in Victoria, we take a collaborative approach to headache care. Our team of chiropractors, massage therapists, physiotherapists, acupuncturists, and naturopathic doctors work together to help identify the root cause of headaches and create a personalized treatment plan.
If headaches are interfering with your daily life, our team is here to help you find relief.