Headache Relief — Kent, WA
Tired of Living With
Headaches & Migraines?
Most headaches are caused by spinal problems in the neck — not your brain. Dr. Brian J. Bussard has helped hundreds of Kent, WA patients find lasting headache relief through precise chiropractic care.
✓Same-day appointments available
✓Most insurance accepted
✓Drug-free headache relief
✓5.0 stars — 127 Google reviews
The Real Cause of Most Headaches
Most people reach for ibuprofen when a headache strikes — and get temporary relief. But if headaches keep coming back, medication isn't solving the underlying problem. It's just masking it.
Research shows that the majority of chronic headaches — including many migraines — originate in the cervical spine (neck). Misaligned vertebrae in the upper neck irritate nerves and restrict blood flow, triggering headache pain that often feels like it's coming from your head, temples, or behind your eyes.
Dr. Bussard specializes in identifying and correcting the cervical misalignments that cause cervicogenic headaches. For many patients, chiropractic care provides dramatic relief where years of medication had only temporary results.
"One of the most rewarding things I see in practice is a patient who's had headaches for years finally finding relief. In many cases the cause is right there in the upper cervical spine — and once we correct it, the headaches simply stop."
— Dr. Brian J. Bussard
— Dr. Brian J. Bussard
Types of Headaches We Treat
Dr. Bussard treats the following types of headaches with chiropractic care:
Cervicogenic Headaches
Headaches that originate in the neck. Usually felt on one side, starting at the base of the skull and radiating forward. Directly caused by cervical spine dysfunction — highly responsive to chiropractic care.
Tension Headaches
The most common type — described as a tight band around the head. Caused by muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, often from stress, poor posture, or long hours at a desk.
Migraines
Severe, often debilitating headaches with throbbing pain, nausea, and light sensitivity. Many migraines have a spinal component — chiropractic care reduces frequency and severity for many migraine sufferers.
Post-Accident Headaches
Headaches that develop after a car accident or whiplash injury. These are almost always caused by cervical spine trauma and respond very well to chiropractic treatment.
Cluster Headaches
Severe headaches occurring in patterns or clusters, often around one eye. Chiropractic care can help reduce the frequency and intensity of cluster headache episodes.
Tech Neck Headaches
Forward head posture from phones and screens creates enormous cervical strain that triggers chronic headaches. Dr. Bussard corrects the postural distortion causing these increasingly common headaches.
⚠️ When to Seek Emergency Care for Headaches
Seek emergency medical care immediately if your headache is sudden and extremely severe ("thunderclap headache") • accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, or seizures • follows a head injury • worsens rapidly despite treatment • accompanied by vision changes, weakness, or difficulty speaking. These symptoms may indicate a serious medical condition requiring immediate attention.
Why Chiropractic Works for Headaches
If your headaches are caused by cervical spine dysfunction — which the majority are — then chiropractic care addresses the actual source of your pain. Here's why it works:
- ✓Corrects upper cervical misalignment — The C1 and C2 vertebrae at the top of the neck have a direct relationship with headache and migraine patterns. Precise adjustments here produce remarkable results.
- ✓Reduces muscle tension — Chiropractic adjustments release muscle tension in the neck and upper shoulders — a primary driver of tension headaches.
- ✓Improves blood flow — Cervical adjustments improve circulation to the head, addressing one of the contributing factors in migraines.
- ✓Reduces nerve irritation — Misaligned vertebrae irritate the nerves that refer pain into the head and face. Correcting the alignment eliminates this irritation.
- ✓Long-term relief, not just management — Unlike medication which only provides temporary relief, chiropractic care corrects the underlying cause for lasting results.
- ✓No side effects — No medication side effects, no rebound headaches from overuse, no dependency risk.
Dr. Bussard's Results
27 Years
Treating headaches & migraines
11,292+
Patients treated
5.0 ★
127 Google reviews
Drug-Free
Natural, safe treatment
Same Day
Appointments available
How Dr. Bussard Treats Headaches
Dr. Bussard takes a thorough, systematic approach to finding and treating the cause of your headaches.
1
Detailed Headache History & Examination
Dr. Bussard spends time understanding your headache patterns — frequency, location, triggers, duration, and associated symptoms. This history combined with a thorough physical and neurological examination guides his diagnosis.
2
Cervical Spine X-Rays
Digital x-rays of the cervical spine reveal misalignments, disc problems, and postural distortions that may be contributing to your headaches. This objective data guides precise treatment.
3
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise Gonstead adjustments to the upper cervical spine — particularly C1 and C2 — address the most common spinal cause of headaches. Many patients notice reduced headache frequency after just a few treatments.
4
Postural Correction & Lifestyle Guidance
Dr. Bussard identifies postural habits and lifestyle factors that contribute to your headaches — and gives you specific, actionable guidance to address them. Ergonomics, sleep position, screen habits, and stress management all play a role.
5
Home Care & Prevention
Specific neck exercises, stretches, and home care recommendations help you maintain your results between visits and reduce the frequency of future headaches.
Common Headache Triggers We Address
Beyond spinal misalignment, Dr. Bussard helps patients identify and address the following headache triggers:
Screen Time & Tech Neck
Extended screen time creates forward head posture that strains the cervical spine and triggers headaches. Dr. Bussard provides ergonomic guidance and corrects the postural distortions causing these headaches.
Stress & Muscle Tension
Chronic stress causes muscle tension in the neck and upper shoulders that leads to tension headaches. Chiropractic adjustments release this tension — providing both immediate relief and long-term management.
Poor Sleep Position
Sleeping on your stomach or with poor pillow support stresses the cervical spine for hours, contributing to morning headaches. Dr. Bussard provides specific sleep position and pillow recommendations.
Ready to Live Without Headaches?
Don't let headaches control your life. Dr. Bussard offers same-day appointments in Kent, WA and drug-free headache relief that gets to the root cause.
Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM • 8-9AM by appointment • Sat 9-11AM • 24837 104th Ave SE Suite 100, Kent WA 98030