Headaches

Natural Relief Through Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care in Hiawatha, IA

Understanding Headaches

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints — but that doesn’t make them normal. A headache is your body’s signal that something deeper is off balance. While pain relievers may offer temporary relief, they rarely address the root cause of the problem.

At Atlas Specific Chiropractic in Hiawatha, we take a different approach. We look beyond symptoms to understand how your nervous system, circulation, and upper neck alignment are functioning together. Subtle misalignments in the top two vertebrae — the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) — can interfere with normal nerve and blood flow to the head, often resulting in recurring headaches or migraines.

Headaches vs. Migraines

Although many people use the terms interchangeably, headaches and migraines are very different conditions.

1. Headaches typically involve pressure, tightness, or dull pain in areas such as the temples, forehead, or back of the head. They can be caused by stress, posture, dehydration, or muscle tension.
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2. Migraines, on the other hand, are a neurological condition. They may cause intense throbbing pain, nausea, visual disturbances (aura), and sensitivity to light or sound.

Because the upper neck houses the brainstem, which plays a major role in regulating blood flow, nerve function, and pain perception, even the smallest misalignment can contribute to both headaches and migraines.

Types of Headaches We Commonly See

There are several kinds of headaches that respond well to upper cervical care, including:

-Tension Headaches – The most common type, often linked to posture, stress, or tight neck and shoulder muscles.

-Cervicogenic Headaches – Pain that originates from dysfunction or misalignment in the neck itself.

-Cluster Headaches – Severe, one-sided headaches that occur in cyclical patterns.

-Rebound Headaches – Headaches that develop from overuse of pain medications.

-Sinus Headaches – Caused by sinus congestion and pressure, which can worsen when the upper neck and drainage pathways are restricted.

By identifying which type of headache you’re experiencing — and what underlying issues may be driving it — we can create a plan that focuses on long-term correction rather than short-term masking.

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Help

At Atlas Specific Chiropractic, we specialize in upper cervical chiropractic care, a precise and gentle method that focuses solely on the top two bones in your neck. Using detailed 3-view x-rays and Tytron thermographic scans, we measure your exact misalignment down to the 1/100th of a degree and millimeter.

When these vertebrae are even slightly off, they can place pressure on the brainstem and restrict blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow. This can lead to:

-Increased muscle tension and nerve irritation
-Impaired blood flow to the head
-Altered pain signaling between the brain and body

By using the AHKC (Advanced HIO Knee-Chest) technique, we deliver a gentle, precise correction — without twisting, cracking, or popping — to restore balance and reduce irritation to the nerves that influence headache pain.

Many patients notice a difference within their first few adjustments: fewer episodes, less intensity, and an overall sense of calm and clarity.

The Atlas Specific Difference

What makes our approach unique is the level of precision, comfort, and verification we build into every step:

1. Detailed neurological and postural evaluation
2. Functional Tytron scans to track progress
3. Customized x-ray analysis for each patient
4. Objective post-adjustment verification

Our goal isn’t just to stop headaches — it’s to help your body function properly so they stop returning.

Take the Next Step Toward Relief

If headaches or migraines are disrupting your life, it’s time to address the cause — not just the pain. At Atlas Specific Chiropractic in Hiawatha, Iowa, we help patients throughout the Cedar Rapids area find lasting relief through precise, gentle upper cervical care.

📞 Call (319) 343-8540 or schedule your first visit to learn how restoring proper alignment can help your body heal naturally and reduce headache frequency for good.