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Conditions We Treat

Headache & Migraine Relief
in San Mateo

Most headaches and migraines start in your muscles — not your head. We treat the neck, shoulder, jaw, and upper spine causes that keep them coming back, so you can finally get lasting relief.

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✓ 89+ Five-Star Reviews
✓ No Drugs or Surgery
✓ 16+ Years Treating Chronic Headaches & Migraines
✓ Serving San Mateo Since 2010
Headaches & Migraines

The pain is in your head.
The cause isn't.

If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, you already know how much they can take over your life — stolen focus, cancelled plans, and days spent in a darkened room waiting for the pain to pass. What you may not know is that most chronic headaches aren't actually a "head" problem. They start in the muscles.

At High Amplitude Health in San Mateo, we specialize in treating the underlying muscular and joint causes of tension headaches and migraines. When muscles in your neck, shoulders, jaw, or face become chronically tight — from poor posture, stress, teeth grinding, or old injuries — they create trigger points that refer pain directly into the head. Dr. Blenio uses trigger point therapy, Active Release Therapy, myofascial release, and chiropractic adjusting to release these patterns at the source.

The result isn't just temporary relief. By addressing what's actually driving your headaches — not just masking the symptoms — most patients see a gradual, cumulative reduction in both the frequency and intensity of their headaches as treatment progresses.

Dr. Blenio calls this his "Headache Protocol" — a specific, targeted sequence of sustained myofascial pressure therapy to the muscles that most commonly lock down and refer pain into the head: the upper thoracic postural muscles, trapezius, cervical spinal muscles, the suboccipitals at the base of the skull, and the jaw and chewing muscles (including the masseter) around the TMJ. From there, sustained trigger point pressure therapy addresses the smaller muscles of the face itself — around the mouth, beside the nose, across the cheekbones, at the temples, below the eyes, across the forehead, and at the sides and back of the head. Releasing tension in all of these areas lets the surrounding fascia relax, and the locked-in tension that's been feeding your headaches gradually lets go.

Poor posture at laptop leading to tension headaches — High Amplitude Health San Mateo
Treat the Cause, Not the Symptom
Trigger point · ART · Myofascial therapy
How We Treat It

It starts in the muscle,
so that’s where treatment starts

◎
Trigger point therapy
Trigger points are tight, hyper-irritable knots within a muscle that refer pain to another location — often into the head. As part of the Headache Protocol, sustained pressure is applied not just to the suboccipital muscles, trapezius, and jaw, but to the smaller muscles of the face itself — around the mouth, beside the nose, across the cheekbones, at the temples, below the eyes, the forehead, and the sides and back of the head. Releasing all of these interrupts the headache cycle that keeps bringing you back to square one.
The suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull are among the most common sources of both tension headaches and migraines. Even small amounts of tightness here can trigger debilitating head pain that no amount of ibuprofen will fully resolve.
◈
Myofascial release
Chronic tension in the fascia surrounding the neck, upper shoulders, and jaw creates a persistent pulling sensation that contributes directly to headache frequency. Dr. Blenio applies sustained myofascial pressure therapy to the upper thoracic postural muscles, trapezius, and cervical spinal muscles specifically — the deeper muscle groups that, once released, let the whole fascial system relax.
Particularly effective for patients whose headaches are tied to chronic stress, poor posture, or long hours at a desk — all conditions that progressively tighten the fascial system connecting the neck and skull.
⟳
Active Release Therapy (ART)
ART goes deeper than standard massage or stretching — it identifies and releases the specific soft tissue adhesions in the neck, upper traps, and jaw that are contributing to your headaches. By restoring normal tissue movement, it removes the mechanical irritation that perpetuates chronic headache patterns.
Especially valuable for patients whose headaches have a clear postural component — desk workers, people who carry tension in their shoulders, and those with a history of neck injury or whiplash.
▷
Chiropractic spinal adjusting
Restricted movement in the upper cervical spine is a well-documented contributor to both tension headaches and migraines. Precise chiropractic adjustments restore joint motion in the neck, reduce nerve irritation, and relieve the muscular guarding that tight joints create — addressing the structural side of chronic headaches.
Many patients who've tried medication for years find that addressing upper cervical joint restriction with chiropractic care produces a meaningful and lasting reduction in headache frequency — something no pill can achieve on its own.
◇
TMJ & jaw muscle treatment
Jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and TMJ dysfunction are among the most overlooked causes of chronic headaches. Dr. Blenio works the masseter and the other chewing muscles around the TMJ directly, along with the muscles of the face and skull they connect to — releasing the constant low-grade tension that escalates into full headaches, rather than just treating the symptoms it produces.
If you've noticed that your headaches are worse in the morning, you clench or grind your teeth, or you have jaw soreness or clicking — TMJ-related muscle tension is very likely playing a role in your headaches.
▸
Posture & ergonomic coaching
Forward head posture is one of the most common drivers of chronic tension headaches — and it's almost entirely a product of how you sit, work, and hold your phone. Dr. Blenio provides practical, specific guidance on workstation setup, sitting posture, and daily movement habits that reduce the muscular loading causing your headaches.
Treatment relieves the headaches you have now — but without addressing the postural patterns that created them, they'll simply come back. Ergonomic coaching is the piece that makes lasting relief possible.
Who It Helps

Same headache,
several different starting points

Chronic headaches and migraines are almost always rooted in muscle and joint dysfunction. Here are the most common underlying causes we identify and treat in our San Mateo patients.

01

Tension headaches from forward head posture

For every inch your head sits forward of your shoulders, the effective weight on your neck roughly doubles. This chronic overloading of the suboccipital and upper cervical muscles is one of the leading causes of daily tension headaches — and it's almost completely reversible with the right treatment and postural correction.

02

TMJ dysfunction & teeth grinding (bruxism)

The jaw muscles attach directly to the skull and connect to the upper neck. Chronic clenching or grinding keeps these muscles in a constant state of tension — often producing headaches that feel like a band across the forehead or pain behind the eyes. Treating the jaw muscles directly can dramatically reduce headache frequency.

03

Stress-related muscle tension

Psychological stress causes the muscles of the neck, jaw, and upper shoulders to contract involuntarily. When this happens repeatedly over days and weeks, it creates chronic tightness that generates persistent headaches. Soft tissue therapy breaks this cycle in a way that willpower and medication simply cannot.

04

Upper cervical joint restriction

Joints in the upper neck that have lost normal motion create both local pain and referred pain into the head. Restricted C1 and C2 joints in particular are closely associated with cervicogenic headaches — headaches that originate in the neck but are felt in the head. Chiropractic adjusting directly addresses this pattern.

05

Poor workstation ergonomics

A monitor that sits too low, a chair that doesn't support your lumbar spine, or a keyboard positioned incorrectly all create postural strain that accumulates into end-of-day headaches. We assess your setup and provide specific, practical recommendations — not just generic advice.

06

Old injuries to the head, neck, or shoulders

A whiplash injury from years ago, a concussion that was never fully rehabilitated, or a shoulder injury that changed how you carry tension — old trauma often leaves behind chronic tightness patterns that keep generating headaches long after the original injury is forgotten.

07

Migraines with a muscular component

Not all migraines are purely neurological. Many are triggered or worsened by muscular tension in the neck and upper traps. Treating the muscle component doesn't replace neurological migraine management — but it often significantly reduces both the frequency and severity of attacks.

Release the tension,
lose the headache.

Most patients see a gradual reduction in headache frequency and intensity as the Headache Protocol progresses — each visit releasing a bit more of the locked-in tension. By targeting the actual muscle and joint causes, not just covering up the pain, results last well beyond the treatment period.

3–6
Average sessions to resolution
89+
Five-star Google reviews

Serving San Mateo, Burlingame, Foster City, Redwood City, Belmont & surrounding areas since 2010.

Book Your First Visit →
About Dr. John Blenio

16 years finding
what's actually causing the pain

Dr. John Blenio has been helping San Mateo residents find lasting relief from chronic headaches and migraines for over 16 years. His approach is built on a key insight that most headache sufferers never hear from their doctors: the majority of chronic headaches are a muscle and joint problem — not a brain problem — and they respond remarkably well to the right hands-on care.

Dr. Blenio calls his approach the Headache Protocol: sustained myofascial pressure therapy to the upper thoracic postural muscles, trapezius, cervical spinal muscles, suboccipitals, and jaw muscles around the TMJ, followed by targeted trigger point work across the smaller muscles of the face — around the mouth, the cheekbones, the temples, and the forehead. It's a specific, repeatable sequence, not general massage, and it works directly on the structures generating your headaches rather than simply managing the pain after it appears.

Whether you've been dealing with daily tension headaches, weekly migraines, or anything in between, the goal is the same: identify exactly what's driving them, treat it at the source, and give you the tools and understanding to keep them from coming back.

✓
The Headache Protocol A specific sequence of sustained myofascial & trigger point therapy across the neck, jaw, and facial muscles
✓
Active Release Therapy (ART) Certified Deep tissue release for neck, upper back, and jaw muscles contributing to migraines
✓
Cervical Chiropractic & Posture Correction Restoring upper cervical joint motion and correcting the postural patterns behind chronic headaches
Dr. John Blenio treating a patient for headaches and migraines at High Amplitude Health San Mateo
Frequently Asked Questions

What patients
usually want to know

Can chiropractic care really help with headaches and migraines? +
Yes — and for many patients, it provides relief that medication alone never achieved. The key is that most chronic headaches have a significant muscular and joint component. Trigger points in the suboccipital muscles and upper trapezius refer pain directly into the head, and restricted upper cervical joints create both local neck pain and referred headaches. By treating these structures directly, we address the headache at its source — not just after it's already arrived.
What exactly is your "Headache Protocol"? +
It's a specific, targeted sequence Dr. Blenio developed over 16 years of treating headache patients — not general massage or a generic adjustment. It starts with sustained myofascial pressure therapy to the upper thoracic postural muscles, trapezius, cervical spinal muscles, suboccipitals, and the jaw muscles around the TMJ (including the masseter). From there, sustained trigger point pressure therapy addresses the smaller muscles of the face itself — around the mouth, beside the nose, across the cheekbones, at the temples, below the eyes, the forehead, and the sides and back of the head. Releasing tension in all of these areas lets the surrounding fascia relax, so the tension that's been feeding your headaches gradually lets go.
What's the difference between a tension headache and a migraine? +
Tension headaches typically feel like a dull, pressing band around the head and are primarily driven by muscle tension. Migraines are more complex — they often involve neurological changes, light and sound sensitivity, and can be debilitating. That said, many migraines also have a significant muscular trigger component, particularly in the neck and upper traps. Treating the muscular contributors doesn't replace neurological migraine management, but it often reduces both the frequency and severity of attacks meaningfully.
How quickly will I notice a reduction in my headaches? +
Improvement with the Headache Protocol is usually gradual rather than instant — each session releases a bit more of the locked tension in the neck, jaw, and facial muscles, and most patients notice their headaches becoming less frequent and less intense visit over visit. Long-term results depend on how well the underlying causes are addressed and whether lifestyle changes (posture, stress management, ergonomics) are incorporated alongside treatment.
My doctor says my headaches are stress-related. Can you still help? +
Absolutely. Stress-related headaches are still primarily a muscle problem — stress causes involuntary muscular contraction in the neck, jaw, and upper shoulders, and those chronically tight muscles are what generate the pain. Treating the muscular tension directly is one of the most effective ways to break the stress-headache cycle. It doesn't eliminate stress, but it significantly reduces its ability to trigger headaches.
Could my jaw or TMJ be causing my headaches? +
Very possibly — and it's far more common than most people realize. The temporomandibular joint and its surrounding muscles connect directly to the skull and upper cervical spine. Chronic clenching (which often happens during sleep without awareness), teeth grinding, and TMJ dysfunction keep these muscles in a state of constant tension. If your headaches tend to be worse in the morning, feel like pressure behind your eyes or across your forehead, or are accompanied by jaw soreness, TMJ-related muscle tension is very likely involved.
Do I need to stop taking my headache medication? +
No — and we'd never ask you to. Our treatment works alongside whatever your physician has prescribed. The goal is to address the underlying causes so that over time, you may need less medication. Any changes to prescribed medication should always be made in consultation with your doctor.
My headaches have been going on for years. Is it too late for treatment? +
It's never too late. Chronic headache patterns that have been present for years typically involve deep, persistent trigger points and postural habits that have built up over time — but these are all treatable. The process may take longer than for a recent-onset headache, but most long-term sufferers see meaningful improvement. Dr. Blenio will give you an honest assessment of what to expect based on your specific history.
Do I have to be adjusted, or can I still get better if I'd rather not be? +
Chiropractic adjusting is genuinely helpful for headaches and migraines — restoring motion to the restricted upper cervical joints (C1 and C2) often relieves the referred pain patterns that trigger them — so Dr. Blenio does recommend it for most patients. That said, it's never required. If you'd rather not be adjusted, he can still get you real results using trigger point therapy, myofascial release, Active Release Therapy, and TMJ and jaw muscle treatment on their own. Interestingly, many patients who start out preferring to skip adjustments end up trying them later, once they've seen their results improve and built trust in the process — but that's always your choice, never something we push.

Your next headache
doesn't have to happen.

Join hundreds of San Mateo patients who've found lasting relief from chronic tension headaches and migraines — by treating the actual cause, not just managing the pain.

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Or call / text us: 650-735-1716