Headaches That Won't Quit: When to Seek Care

Most headaches are not dangerous, and some patterns need prompt medical attention. Knowing which is which helps you decide on a sensible next step, whether that is an evaluation with Dr. Greg, a conversation with your doctor or, in rare cases, emergency care.

Get emergency care for a headache that comes on suddenly and is extremely severe, sometimes described as the worst headache of your life, or one that follows a head injury or fall. Headaches paired with fever and a stiff neck, confusion, weakness, numbness, trouble speaking or vision changes also need urgent evaluation, as does a headache that is sudden and very painful.

Outside the emergency room, plan a medical appointment for headaches that keep getting more frequent or more severe, wake you from sleep, do not improve with over-the-counter medicine, or have started for the first time in a new pattern, especially after age 50. A primary care provider can help rule out other causes and guide what comes next.

For the common patterns, the neck is often part of the story. The upper neck shares nerve connections with the head, face and scalp, so sustained neck tension and restricted motion can feed tension-type and neck-related (cervicogenic) headaches. That is why a thorough headache evaluation looks at how the neck moves, not just at the head.

Chiropractic care may help some patients with neck-related headaches by easing strain on the neck and improving how it moves, usually alongside practical changes to screens, pillows and daily habits. It is not a cure, and not every headache responds, which is exactly why an evaluation comes first. Dr. Gregory Martin takes your history, checks for red flags, examines how your neck and spine move, and tells you honestly whether chiropractic care fits your situation or whether another provider is a better first stop.

Dr. Greg has practiced chiropractic since 1996 and sees patients at Gregory Martin Chiropractic at 283 Sparta Avenue in Sparta, New Jersey, and at Speedwell Family Chiropractic at 520 Speedwell Avenue in Morris Plains. If headaches are a regular part of your week, an evaluation that includes the neck is a reasonable place to start. Call or text (973) 699-4100 to schedule an evaluation.