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Headache & Migraine Treatment in Springfield, NJ

Find the cause. Treat the source. Drug-free headache relief in Springfield, New Jersey.

Headache & Migraine Treatment at Back and Body Pain Relief

About Our Springfield Headache Practice

Back and Body Pain Relief is a multidisciplinary clinic at 355 Route 22 E, Suite D, Springfield Township, NJ 07081. We treat chronic and recurring headaches — including tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and migraines — by identifying and addressing the underlying physical causes rather than simply managing symptoms with medication.

Chronic headaches are among the most prevalent and disabling pain conditions, yet they are frequently undertreated with long-term pain medication that never addresses why the headaches keep occurring. At Back and Body Pain Relief, we take a different approach — using advanced diagnostics and a multidisciplinary team to identify the musculoskeletal, neurological, and lifestyle factors driving your headaches and treating them at the source.

Types of Headaches We Treat

  • Cervicogenic headaches — headaches originating from dysfunction in the cervical spine and surrounding muscles, typically felt at the base of the skull and radiating forward
  • Tension headaches — the most common type, driven by muscular tension in the neck, shoulders, and scalp
  • Migraines — recurring, often severe headaches frequently accompanied by nausea, light sensitivity, and visual disturbance
  • Occipital neuralgia — irritation of the occipital nerves causing sharp, shooting pain from the base of the skull
  • Post-traumatic headaches — headaches following head or neck injury, including whiplash and concussion
  • TMJ-related headaches — headaches associated with jaw dysfunction and temporomandibular joint disorders
  • Cluster headaches — severe unilateral headaches occurring in cyclical patterns

Our Diagnostic Approach

Many chronic headaches have a significant cervical spine component that is never properly assessed. At Back and Body Pain Relief, we evaluate the relationship between your cervical spine, muscular system, and headache pattern as part of every headache assessment.

On-site X-ray allows us to assess cervical alignment, identify degenerative changes, and evaluate the structural contributors to cervicogenic headaches.

NCV/EMG testing is used when nerve involvement is suspected — particularly for occipital neuralgia and headaches involving radiating symptoms into the scalp, face, or upper extremities.

Diagnostic ultrasound evaluates the suboccipital muscles and surrounding soft tissue structures at the base of the skull — a common but underdiagnosed source of cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia.

Dr David Perna DC, CCSP, CCEP

Practice Overseer

Board-certified chiropractor with specialist certifications in sports chiropractic (CCSP) and chiropractic extremity practice (CCEP). Dr Perna has worked with the US Men’s Winter Olympic Bobsleigh team and competes personally in CrossFit and Ironman.

📍 355 Route 22 E, Ste D
Springfield Township, NJ 07081

📞 908-325-3000

🕒 Mon–Fri, 10am–7pm

🏥 Headache Treatments at Back and Body Pain Relief

Our headache treatment plans address both immediate pain relief and the long-term resolution of the underlying causes driving recurrent headaches. We combine manual therapy, rehabilitation, and targeted treatments tailored to your specific headache type and triggers.

🦴 Chiropractic Care

Cervical chiropractic adjustment is one of the most evidence-supported treatments for cervicogenic headaches and tension headaches with a cervical component. Restoring normal joint mechanics in the upper cervical spine relieves the nerve irritation and muscular tension that drive many chronic headaches.

🏃 Physical Therapy

Postural retraining, deep neck flexor strengthening, and movement pattern correction address the functional causes of tension and cervicogenic headaches — particularly relevant for patients whose headaches are aggravated by desk work, screen use, or sustained postures.

🤲 Medical Massage

Release of the suboccipital muscles, upper trapezius, SCM, and scalenes directly addresses the muscular tension patterns that drive tension headaches and contribute to cervicogenic headaches and migraines.

💉 Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections in the suboccipital, trapezius, and cervical muscles are highly effective for chronic tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches where muscular trigger points are the primary driver.

🧘 Acupuncture

Acupuncture has strong clinical evidence for both tension headaches and migraines — modulating pain signals, reducing muscular tension, and addressing the neurological components of recurrent headache disorders.

💡 Class IV Laser Therapy

Low-level laser applied to the cervical spine and suboccipital region reduces local inflammation, promotes tissue healing, and provides drug-free pain relief for headaches with a cervical or muscular origin.

💥 Shockwave Therapy

For chronic myofascial headache patterns where soft tissue adhesions and trigger points have not responded to manual therapy, shockwave therapy can break down restrictive tissue and restore normal muscle function.

⚡ Electric Stimulation

Electrical stimulation to the cervical and upper thoracic region reduces muscle spasm and tension that contribute to both tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches.

Headache FAQs

Can headaches be caused by neck problems?

Yes — cervicogenic headaches are extremely common and frequently misdiagnosed as tension headaches or migraines. They originate from dysfunction in the cervical spine and surrounding muscles, typically producing pain at the base of the skull that radiates forward. If your headaches are accompanied by neck stiffness, begin at the back of the head, or are aggravated by neck movement or sustained postures, cervical involvement is likely.

Can you treat migraines without medication?

Many migraine patients benefit significantly from physical treatments that address the musculoskeletal and neurological triggers that initiate migraine episodes. While we do not replace medical migraine management, our treatments can reduce frequency and severity — and for many patients, identify and address physical triggers that were previously unrecognised.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is needed. Call 908-325-3000 or book online.

How many treatments will I need?

Chronic headaches that have been present for years typically require a sustained course of treatment. Most patients see meaningful improvement within the first few weeks, with the full programme aimed at long-term reduction in headache frequency and severity rather than just short-term relief.

What if I’ve already tried chiropractic for my headaches?

Our multidisciplinary approach means we can combine chiropractic with physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, and medical treatments within a single coordinated plan. If one approach has not achieved the results you hoped for, a broader combined approach often produces better outcomes.

Collaborative Headache Care in Springfield, NJ

Chronic headaches rarely have a single cause. Cervical dysfunction, muscular tension, postural habits, nerve irritation, and lifestyle factors often all contribute — and addressing only one of them produces only partial results. Our team approach means every relevant factor is identified and treated in a coordinated plan. Schedule your headache evaluation today.

Further Reading

Can Chiropractic Help Vertigo?

This post is part of our complete guide to Headaches. Browse the guide for more in-depth information on treatments, exercises, and recovery strategies. Vertigo is most commonly caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). In the bony labyrinth, there are...

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Chiropractic Care for Headaches

This post is part of our complete guide to Headaches. Browse the guide for more in-depth information on treatments, exercises, and recovery strategies. The study was done in 2020 that sounds that up to one and five new chiropractic patients list headaches as one of...

read more