★ 5.0 Star Rated, 288+ Reviews on Google ›12465 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC
Home › Conditions › Headaches & Migraines
Conditions We Treat
Headache and Migraine Care in Pawleys Island, SC
A large share of recurring headaches originate in the neck rather than the head.
The cervical connection
Cervicogenic headaches begin with restricted joints or irritated nerves in the upper cervical spine and refer pain into the head. They often present as pain starting at the base of the skull and wrapping forward, frequently on one side.
Not every headache is cervicogenic. Part of the examination is establishing whether yours is the kind that responds to spinal care.
Headache Types
Which Headaches Respond To Spinal Care
Not every headache originates in the neck. Part of the examination is working out which kind you have.
Cervicogenic
Begins at the base of the skull and wraps forward, often one-sided, and is provoked by neck position. This is the type that responds best to spinal care.
Tension type
A band-like pressure across the head, usually linked to sustained posture and muscular load through the neck and shoulders. Often responds well.
Migraine
Throbbing, frequently one-sided, with light or sound sensitivity and sometimes nausea or visual aura. Neck treatment may reduce frequency for some patients but migraine needs medical co-management.
Post-traumatic
Headaches that began after a collision or head injury. Worth a full examination, as the mechanism is usually identifiable.
Medication overuse
Frequent painkiller use can itself sustain a headache cycle. This needs your physician, and we will say so.
Needing urgent care
A sudden severe headache unlike any before, or one with fever, stiff neck, confusion or weakness, is a medical emergency. Go to the emergency room.
Patterns we look for
- Headaches that begin at the base of the skull
- Pain triggered or worsened by neck position
- Reduced neck rotation on the painful side
- Headaches after long periods at a desk or screen
- A history of whiplash or head injury
Care approach
Where examination points to a cervical origin, treatment focuses on restoring normal motion to the upper cervical segments and reducing muscular and nerve irritation, often supported by Summus laser therapy. Dr. Fico will be direct about whether your headache pattern is likely to respond, and will refer where another provider is a better fit.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
No, and we will not claim it. What spinal care can address is the cervical contribution to your headache pattern. Some migraine patients find frequency reduces; others do not. Dr. Fico will be direct about whether your pattern is likely to respond.
Typical signs are pain starting at the base of the skull, provoked by neck position, reduced rotation to one side, and a history of neck injury or desk work. Examination confirms it.
Patients whose headaches are cervicogenic often notice a change within the first few weeks of care. If there is no change by the reassessment point, the plan changes or you are referred.
Not without speaking to whoever prescribed it. Nothing we do requires you to stop a medication, and that decision belongs to your physician.
Meet Your Chiropractor
Dr. Neil Fico, D.C.
Dr. Neil Fico has cared for patients on the Grand Strand for nearly 30 years. Pawleys Island is both where he practices and where he lives, and he personally evaluates every new patient who walks through the door.
His approach is integrative: corrective chiropractic adjustments, Summus laser therapy and DRX9000 spinal decompression, chosen to relieve the pain and correct what is causing it. If chiropractic care is not right for your condition, he will tell you.
New Patient Special
Start With A $49 First Visit
Before any treatment plan, Dr. Fico sits down with you to find out what is actually causing the pain. That first visit, the consultation, full exam and X-rays if you need them, is $49 instead of $250.
- One-on-one consultation with Dr. Neil Fico
- Complete orthopedic and neurological exam
- Digital X-rays if clinically indicated
- Sit-down report of findings and care plan
No obligation to start treatment. If chiropractic care is not right for your spine, Dr. Fico will tell you and point you where to go next.
Prefer to talk first? Call (843) 979-CARE (2273). Mon and Wed 8am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6pm, Tue and Thu 9am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6pm, Fri 8am to 1pm.
LIMITED TIME OFFER
New Patient Special
Initial Consultation, Exam & X-Rays
$250 ValueONLY $49
Receive an initial consultation, chiropractic exam and X-rays, if needed, for only $49.
