Chiropractic Care for Headaches in Overland Park, KS

Headaches can steal your focus, your energy, and your plans for the day. Many people reach for a pain reliever and keep pushing through, but if headaches keep coming back, it may be worth looking at what’s going on in your neck and upper back. At Active Family Chiropractic, Dr. Chad Welter and Dr. Curt Welter help people across Overland Park, Johnson County, and the Kansas City area look for drug-free ways to manage headaches.

 

Common Types and Causes of Headaches

There are many kinds of headaches, and they have many possible causes. Chiropractors most often see:

• Tension-type headaches: often described as a tight band or pressure around the head, frequently linked to stress and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders.

• Cervicogenic headaches: headaches that start in the neck and are felt in the head, often on one side.

Common triggers include long hours at a desk or screen, forward head posture, stiff neck joints, poor sleep positions, stress, and neck injuries such as whiplash. Headaches can also be linked to things outside our scope, like vision problems, dehydration, or other medical conditions. Your doctor will keep that in mind during your exam.

 

How Chiropractic Care May Help Headaches

Chiropractic care is commonly used for headaches, especially those connected to the neck. Your doctor will check how the joints in your neck and upper back are moving and look for muscle tension that may be contributing. Gentle chiropractic adjustments, applied by hand or with an instrument, aim to restore proper joint movement. That may help ease neck tension and, for some people, reduce how often headaches occur or how intense they feel.

Your care may also include postural analysis, rehab exercises, and lifestyle tips such as workstation setup, screen habits, and stress management. Explore all our chiropractic services. Since many headaches are tied to the neck, our neck pain page may also be helpful.

 

How High Intensity Laser Therapy May Help Headaches

Tight, tender muscles in the neck, shoulders, and base of the skull often go hand in hand with tension and neck-related headaches. High intensity laser therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free option we may use alongside chiropractic care to address those areas. Laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, uses light energy to stimulate a response in the tissue. It may help reduce pain and inflammation, support circulation, and help tight muscles relax.

Laser therapy for headaches is typically applied to the neck and upper shoulder area rather than the head itself, focusing on the muscles and joints that may be contributing to your symptoms. Paired with adjustments and posture work, it may help you feel more comfortable between visits.

Sessions are typically short. Most people feel a soothing warmth during treatment and can go right back to their day. Your doctor will discuss whether laser therapy fits your situation.

 

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your doctor will ask about your headaches: where you feel them, how often they happen, how long they last, and what seems to trigger them. Then they’ll do an examination, which may include checking your posture, neck movement, and muscle tension in your neck and shoulders. They’ll explain their findings and recommend a care plan. If anything suggests your headaches need medical evaluation, they’ll refer you to the right provider.

Save time by filling out your new patient paperwork on our forms page.

 

Why Choose Active Family Chiropractic?

• Voted Best Chiropractic Clinic in the Best of Johnson County Awards in 2023, 2025, and 2026

• Serving Overland Park and the Kansas City area since 2013

• Dr. Chad and Dr. Curt Welter, both graduates of Cleveland Chiropractic College

• A drug-free approach that combines chiropractic care and laser therapy

• Same-day appointments, with hours Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 6:30pm and Saturdays by appointment

 

Headaches FAQ

Can a chiropractor help with migraines? Migraines are a complex condition. Some people with migraines also have neck tension, which chiropractic care may help address. Your doctor will talk with you about what care may be appropriate and when to involve your medical doctor.

Is laser therapy applied to my head? Laser therapy for headaches is typically focused on the neck and upper shoulders, where tight muscles and stiff joints may be contributing to your symptoms.

When should a headache be checked by a medical doctor right away? Get emergency care for a sudden, severe “worst ever” headache, or a headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness, vision changes, trouble speaking, or one that follows a head injury.

 

Schedule Your Headache Visit in Overland Park

Tired of working around your headaches? Call Active Family Chiropractic at (913) 681-6013 or contact us to schedule. Same-day appointments are available. We’re at 8917 West 135th Street, Overland Park, KS 66221.