Chronic Headaches Are Often a Cervical Spine Problem. We Find and Fix the Source.
We treat headaches by evaluating the cervical spine. Not just the head. Our fellowship-level training in spinal biomechanics allows us to identify upper cervical instability, abnormal C1-C2 motion, loss of cervical lordosis, and disc degeneration that drive chronic headache patterns. We then build a treatment plan that directly addresses those structural drivers.
Accident & Injury Recovery
Chronic Pain & Spine
Aches & Functional Issues
Chronic headaches often start in the cervical spine. Shouldn't your evaluation include it?
Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches originate from problems in the cervical spine. Not the brain or vascular system. They are caused by referred pain from the upper cervical joints, muscles, ligaments, or nerve roots. Cervicogenic headaches are often misdiagnosed as migraines or tension headaches because the presenting symptoms can be similar. The distinguishing feature is that the pain originates in the neck and radiates upward. At McClean Spine Care Specialists, we use motion X-ray imaging to evaluate the cervical structures that most commonly produce referred head pain.
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Whiplash
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Neck pain after car accident
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Back pain after car accident (mid-back or low back)
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Headaches after car accident
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Shoulder pain / upper back tightness after car accident
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Radiating nerve pain, numbness, or tingling
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Dizziness or “off balance” symptoms (when appropriate)
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Spinal instability / ligament injury patterns
Back pain after a car accident can come from multiple sources. Sprains/strains, disc irritation, facet joint injury, or ligament instability that only shows up when the spine is stressed. If your low back pain started days later, wakes you up at night, or feels sharp with twisting/bending, you need a focused evaluation. Not guesswork.
Whiplash: Why Symptoms Can Be Delayed
Whiplash symptoms don’t always hit immediately. Inflammation, muscle guarding, and ligament irritation can ramp up over 24, 72 hours, which is why people often search for answers days after the crash. Our process is designed to connect your symptoms, exam findings, and imaging so you’re not stuck treating the wrong thing.
What an Injury Evaluation Looks Like
Your visit focuses on: (1) your crash history and symptom timeline, (2) an exam that matches your pain pattern, and (3) imaging when appropriate. Especially when we suspect instability or a ligament-driven problem. If you already have an MRI, we’ll correlate it with your movement findings and exam.
Our Approach to Headache Treatment
Treating chronic headaches at McClean Spine Care Specialists starts with a thorough evaluation of the cervical spine. Not just the head. We use motion X-ray imaging and fellowship-level biomechanical analysis to identify the specific cervical structures driving your headache pattern. Our two-phase treatment protocol then addresses both the immediate pain and the underlying structural cause, giving you a path to lasting relief.
- Step 1: Detect What Matters - Motion X-rays + full-spine analysis
- Step 2: Correlate With Real Symptoms. We cross-reference your symptom pattern (neck pain, back pain, headaches), motion X-ray findings, and MRI (when needed)
- Step 3: Create the Right Recovery Plan - Calm the inflammation → Restore structure → Rehab movement
Testimonials
See why Utah County headache patients choose McClean Spine Care Specialists.
“I am so grateful that I am able to be seen here. This is hands down the best chiropractor I have been to. I was recently in another car accident and was worried about going to another chiropractor, I did not see results like this with my last one. I am doing exercises here that I haven’t done before. I also have the opportunity to see a massage therapist here and that is also doing wonders. I feel better than I have in a long time. Matt McClean is great and his staff couldn’t be nicer. They are professional yet make you feel comfortable. I look forward to my visits. I highly recommend this place.”
Tashina Sherman
“I totaled my Chevy diesel last year and escaped without a scratch. A week or so later I noticed a dull pain and discomfort in my lower back, neck and shoulders which woke me in my sleep. Through the advice of a friend, I went to the McClean Chiropractic. There I found one of a kind modern technology. The doctors were knowledgeable and more importantly dedicated to my rehabilitation and truly cared about my well-being and a staff that is equally generous and thoughtful. What I love most is that it’s a family owned business and has been for sometime. Within the first treatment I noticed a change, within several more visits I was no longer experiencing the pain and discomfort from my auto accident. I want to thank everyone at McClean chiropractic for making this difficult time incredibly easy and pleasant.”
Joseph Cornetta
“Dr. Gordon McClean is an excellent doctor who really cares about helping people. I came to Dr. McClean while on Christmas vacation in pain and feeling very anxious about an invasive surgery my doctor back home had advised to be my best option. After a minor car accident 3 years ago I have struggled with neck pain, stiffness, headaches, arm weakness and tingling. I have done physical therapy twice, been on medication regularly, tried steroid injection and facet numbing. Dr. McClean treated me for 12 consecutive days, even over the holidays, and has brought my symptoms and pain from an 8 down to a 0-1! The weakness in my left arm is significantly changed. He took the time to listen and share his expertise with all the many questions I had. He helped me get into another surgeons office in the area for a second opinion who also believed the surgery I was going home to have was too aggressive for my symptoms, MRI results, and age. I know that it is difficult to find a doctor that you can trust and the McClean Chiropractic doctors are exactly that.”
Rebecca Barnhurts
“Came in for whiplash after an auto accident. Felt much better after just a few treatments. Continued going for several weeks to correct any long term problems. Friendly service, also very helpful and patient in resolving a payment issue from the insurance. Would go back again or recommend to others.”
Brandon Barney
McClean Chiropractic - Spine Care Specialists
Chronic Headaches in Provo?
Let's Find the Cervical Cause.
Advanced cervical spine evaluation for headache patients. Motion-based imaging and fellowship-level expertise. Same-day appointments available.
Related Conditions We Treat
Herniated Disc • Sciatica • Neck Pain • Back Pain • Whiplash
Our Services
Spinal Decompression Therapy • Advanced Diagnostics & Motion X-Ray • Chiropractor in Provo, Utah • Car Accident Injury Care • Free MRI Review
Same-day appointments available. Call 801-373-1035 or schedule online.
What our patients say
“Dr. Gordon has helped me so much! I came with bad headaches daily and a really bad neck. The headaches are all but gone and the neck is getting better! He is very knowledgeable and very kind, too.”
. Connie D., Google review
“My son was run over by a car a couple months ago and while his bones have healed he has been suffering from headaches and other muscle pain ever since. When I called McClean Chiropractic they worked him in that same day.”
. Ellen C., Google review
Headaches & migraines FAQ
For cervicogenic headache and many tension headaches, yes. Often dramatically. For true vascular migraine the picture is more mixed, but patients often improve when coexisting cervical dysfunction is addressed. We’ll be honest about what’s likely to help after the exam.
Specific exam patterns: reproducible headache on cervical provocation, pain in the suboccipital region, forward head posture, limited upper cervical rotation. Motion X-ray frequently confirms upper cervical segmental dysfunction.
We treat these regularly. TMJ dysfunction and upper cervical dysfunction often coexist and feed each other. More on TMJ care.
No. We don’t tell patients to stop prescribed medications. Many patients find they need less after a course of care, but that’s a conversation with your prescribing doctor.
For cervicogenic headache, most patients notice meaningful improvement in 2-4 weeks. Severe or long-standing cases take longer. We reassess at 4-6 weeks to see if we’re on track.
Yes. Trigger points in the upper trapezius, suboccipitals, and temporalis are common headache drivers. We use manual pressure, IASTM, and cold laser depending on what’s indicated.
Headaches ruling your life? Let's see if we can help.
Fellowship-trained Spine Management Physicians. Motion X-ray, MRI review, coordinated care. Same-week appointments.
McClean Chiropractic · 385 N 500 W, Provo UT 84601