Headache & Migraine Treatment in New York City
Find the cause. Treat the source. Drug-free headache relief at Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan.
Headache & Migraine Treatment at Back and Body Medical
About Our NYC Headache Practice
Back and Body Medical is a multidisciplinary clinic at 133 E 58th St, Suite 708, New York, NY 10022. We treat chronic and recurring headaches — including tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches, and migraines — by identifying and addressing the underlying physical causes rather than managing symptoms with medication alone.
Chronic headaches are among the most prevalent and disabling conditions in New York City, where stress, screen time, long commutes, and demanding schedules all contribute to the muscular tension and cervical dysfunction that drive many headache disorders. At Back and Body Medical, we identify the musculoskeletal, neurological, and lifestyle factors driving your headaches and treat them at the source.
Types of Headaches We Treat
- Cervicogenic headaches — originating from cervical spine dysfunction, typically felt at the base of the skull and radiating forward
- Tension headaches — driven by muscular tension in the neck, shoulders, and scalp
- Migraines — recurring, often severe headaches with nausea, light sensitivity, and visual disturbance
- Occipital neuralgia — sharp, shooting pain from occipital nerve irritation at the base of the skull
- Post-traumatic headaches — following head or neck injury, whiplash, or concussion
- Stress and lifestyle headaches — driven by the sustained tension patterns common in high-pressure NYC environments
Our Diagnostic Approach
On-site X-ray assesses cervical alignment and structural contributors to cervicogenic headaches.
NCV testing is used when nerve involvement is suspected — particularly for occipital neuralgia and headaches involving radiating symptoms.
Dr Shan Sivendra MD
Medical Doctor & Practice Director
Practicing in New York since 1995. Certified acupuncturist. Director of House Physicians at St. Barnabas Medical Center. Board-certified with a focus on pain management and conservative rehabilitation.
📍 133 E 58th St, Ste 708
New York, NY 10022
🕒 Mon–Fri, 10am–7pm
🏥 Headache Treatments at Back and Body Medical NYC
Our headache treatment plans address both immediate pain relief and the long-term resolution of the causes driving recurrent headaches — combining manual therapy, rehabilitation, and targeted treatments.
🦴 Chiropractic Care
Cervical chiropractic adjustment is one of the most evidence-supported treatments for cervicogenic headaches and tension headaches with a cervical component — restoring joint mechanics and relieving the nerve irritation and muscular tension that drive many chronic headaches.
🏃 Physical Therapy
Postural retraining, deep neck flexor strengthening, and movement pattern correction addressing the functional causes of tension and cervicogenic headaches — particularly relevant for desk workers and screen users.
🖐 Active Release Techniques (ART)
Specific soft tissue release of the suboccipital muscles, SCM, scalenes, and upper trapezius — directly addressing the muscular tension patterns driving tension and cervicogenic headaches.
🔧 Graston Technique
Instrument-assisted soft tissue work breaking down chronic fascial restrictions in the cervical and suboccipital region that perpetuate headache patterns.
🧘 Acupuncture
Strong clinical evidence for both tension headaches and migraines — modulating pain signals, reducing muscular tension, and addressing the neurological components of recurrent headache disorders. Dr Sivendra’s acupuncture expertise makes this a particularly strong offering at our practice.
💉 Trigger Point Injections
Highly effective for chronic tension and cervicogenic headaches driven by persistent muscular trigger points in the suboccipital, trapezius, and cervical muscles.
💡 Class IV Laser Therapy
Reduces local inflammation and promotes tissue healing in the cervical and suboccipital region — providing drug-free pain relief for headaches with a cervical or muscular origin.
🌀 Spinal Decompression
For headaches with a cervical disc or nerve compression component — decompression addresses the structural source directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can headaches be caused by neck problems?
Yes — cervicogenic headaches are very common and frequently misdiagnosed. They originate from cervical spine dysfunction, typically producing pain at the base of the skull that radiates forward. If your headaches involve neck stiffness, begin at the back of the head, or are aggravated by sustained postures, cervical involvement is likely.
Can you treat migraines without medication?
Many migraine patients benefit significantly from physical treatments that address musculoskeletal and neurological triggers. Our treatments can reduce frequency and severity — and for many patients, identify physical triggers that were previously unrecognised.
Do I need a referral?
No referral needed. Call 212-371-2000 or book online.
What if I’ve already tried chiropractic for my headaches?
Our multidisciplinary approach combines chiropractic with physical therapy, acupuncture, ART, and medical treatments in a single coordinated plan — often producing better outcomes than a single-modality approach.
Coordinated Headache Care in Midtown Manhattan
Chronic headaches rarely have a single cause. Our team identifies and addresses every contributing factor — cervical, muscular, neurological, and lifestyle — in a coordinated plan. Schedule your headache evaluation today.