Headaches and migraines affect millions of Canadians, and they are among the top reasons patients visit Artemis Wellness Clinic in Richmond. Whether you experience occasional tension headaches from desk work, chronic migraines that disrupt your week, or cervicogenic headaches originating from your neck, our team offers effective, drug-free treatment options.
Types of Headaches We Treat
Understanding your headache type is essential for effective treatment. The three most common types we see at our clinic are:
Tension Headaches are the most common type and feel like a tight band around your head. They are typically caused by muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and scalp, often from stress, poor posture, or prolonged screen time. The pain is usually mild to moderate, affects both sides of the head, and may last from 30 minutes to several days.
Migraines involve moderate to severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. They may be accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, visual disturbances (aura), and can last 4 to 72 hours. Migraines have a strong neurological component and can be triggered by hormonal changes, certain foods, weather changes, sleep disruption, and stress.
Cervicogenic Headaches originate from the cervical spine (neck) and refer pain to the head. They are often one-sided, start at the back of the head, and are associated with neck stiffness and reduced range of motion. These headaches are particularly common after car accidents, whiplash injuries, and in people who work at computers for extended hours.
How We Treat Headaches and Migraines
RMT Massage Therapy for Headaches
Massage therapy is one of the most effective treatments for tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches. Our registered massage therapists focus on releasing trigger points and muscle tension in the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull, the upper trapezius and levator scapulae in the neck and shoulders, the SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscle on the sides of the neck, and the temporalis and masseter muscles of the jaw. Regular RMT sessions can reduce headache frequency, intensity, and duration. Many of our patients who previously relied on daily pain medication have been able to significantly reduce or eliminate their use of medications through consistent massage therapy.
Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraines
Acupuncture has strong research support for both headaches and migraines. A landmark study published in the Cochrane Database found that acupuncture is as effective as preventive medication for migraines, with far fewer side effects. Our Registered Acupuncturist, Mandy Tam, uses specific point combinations that reduce headache intensity, decrease the frequency of migraine episodes, address contributing factors such as stress, hormonal imbalance, and sleep issues, and provide lasting relief rather than temporary symptom suppression.
Many patients experience headache relief during their first acupuncture session. A typical treatment course of 6 to 10 sessions can produce significant long-term improvement in chronic headache patterns.
Learn more about how acupuncture can help with stress, anxiety, and insomnia — all common headache triggers.
Physiotherapy for Headaches
Our physiotherapy approach is particularly effective for cervicogenic headaches. Treatment includes assessment of cervical spine mobility and posture, manual therapy and joint mobilization for the upper neck, targeted strengthening exercises for deep neck flexors, and ergonomic recommendations for your workstation.
Chiropractic Care for Headaches
Chiropractic adjustments can address cervical spine restrictions that contribute to headaches. This is especially effective for cervicogenic headaches and tension headaches associated with poor posture.
Headaches from Desk Work and Screen Time
Richmond is home to many professionals who spend 8 or more hours per day at a computer. This prolonged posture creates a pattern we see constantly: forward head posture, rounded shoulders, tight suboccipital muscles, and eventually chronic headaches. If your headaches are worse at the end of the workday or during the work week, posture and muscle tension are likely contributing factors.
Our team can provide treatment to relieve the immediate pain and also help you set up your workstation and develop habits that prevent headaches from returning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Headache Treatment
How often should I get massage therapy for chronic headaches?
For chronic headaches, we typically recommend weekly RMT sessions for 4 to 6 weeks, then reassess. As headache frequency decreases, many patients transition to biweekly or monthly maintenance sessions. Consistency is key — sporadic treatment is less effective than a regular schedule.
Can acupuncture prevent migraines?
Yes. Research shows that regular acupuncture treatment can reduce migraine frequency by 50% or more in many patients. A course of 8 to 12 sessions is typically recommended for migraine prevention, with maintenance sessions as needed.
When should I be concerned about a headache?
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden, severe headache unlike any you have had before, a headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, or vision changes, a headache after a head injury, or a headache that progressively worsens over days or weeks. For chronic recurring headaches without these warning signs, conservative treatment with RMT, acupuncture, and physiotherapy is a safe and effective first approach.
Is headache treatment covered by ICBC?
If your headaches resulted from a car accident or whiplash injury, treatment may be covered under your ICBC claim. We accept ICBC referrals for all our services.
What can I do at home between treatments?
Your practitioner will give you specific recommendations, which may include gentle neck stretches, posture awareness exercises, heat application to the neck and shoulders, stress management techniques, and maintaining a headache diary to identify triggers.
Book Your Headache Assessment in Richmond
Stop letting headaches control your days. Our team at Artemis Wellness Clinic can identify the cause of your headaches and create a treatment plan that provides lasting relief. We are at 5911 Number 3 Rd #130, Richmond BC. Call 604-242-2233 or book online: https://artemis.janeapp.com/