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 drug-free treatment options that may help ease your symptoms.
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 a common choice 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 may help reduce headache frequency, intensity, and duration. Please talk to your doctor before changing any medication. Individual results vary.
Acupuncture for Headaches and Migraines
Acupuncture has been studied for both headaches and migraines. A Cochrane review found that acupuncture may be about as effective as preventive medication in reducing how often migraines occur, with fewer reported side effects. Our Registered Acupuncturist, Mandy Tam, chooses point combinations that aim to reduce headache intensity and the frequency of migraine episodes, and to address contributing factors such as stress and sleep issues.
Some patients notice headache relief after their first acupuncture session; others need several sessions. A typical treatment course is 6 to 10 sessions, after which your progress is reviewed. Individual results vary.
Learn more about how acupuncture may help with stress, anxiety, and insomnia — all common headache triggers.
Physiotherapy for Headaches
Physiotherapy is often used 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 aim to address cervical spine restrictions that may contribute to headaches, particularly 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 aimed at easing the pain and also help you set up your workstation and develop habits that may help keep 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. If 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?
It may help. In the studies reviewed by Cochrane, people who received acupuncture were more likely to have their migraine frequency cut by half than people who did not. A course of 8 to 12 sessions is typically recommended for migraine prevention, with maintenance sessions as needed. Individual results vary.
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 common 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 bill ICBC directly for your pre-approved treatments. If part of a fee is not covered by ICBC (a user fee), we tell you before your treatment.
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
If headaches are affecting your days, our team at Artemis Wellness Clinic can assess what may be contributing to them and create a treatment plan with you. We are at 5911 Number 3 Rd #130, Richmond BC. Call 604-242-2233 or book online: https://artemis.janeapp.com/
