| Condition | Chronic headaches and migraines |
|---|---|
| Prior Treatment | Medication — short-term relief only |
| Occupation | Desk worker — long hours on computer |
| Misdiagnosis | Told she had a “knot” and “pinched nerve”; advised to get massages |
| Root Cause | Incorrect ergonomic setup causing chronic cervical compensation |
| Treatment | Manual therapy, shockwave, chiropractic, DNS, ergonomic correction |
| Outcome | Headaches and migraines resolved |
Presenting Complaint
36-year-old female with chronic headaches and migraines. Only found short-term relief from medication. Worked long days at computer and always complained about a “knot” in her back. Doctors told her she needed massage; massage therapists told her she had a large knot. Nobody looked deeper.
Treatment Approach
The Evaluation: Finding the Real Problem
Deep evaluation revealed MULTIPLE issues. Ergonomically, she had the wrong setup for years. Computer height was incorrect, and a secondary monitor was on the wrong side ergonomically. This severely limited her right cervical rotation and locked her into left rotation, with her body in chronic compensation. The “knot” was also misdiagnosed — it wasn’t just a knot or a pinched nerve.
Ergonomic Correction
Corrected her workstation setup — monitor heights, secondary monitor positioning. This alone began to reduce the constant postural strain that was driving her symptoms.
Manual Therapy & Shockwave
Manual release work combined with shockwave therapy to address the years of built-up tissue restriction and fascial tension in her neck, upper back, and shoulders.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Addressed joint restrictions in her cervical and thoracic spine that had developed from years of compensatory posture.
DNS: Retraining Motor Patterns
Used Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization to retrain the movement patterns that had become dysfunctional from years of poor ergonomic positioning.
Outcome
Her chronic headaches and migraines resolved. The “knot” that massage therapists had been chasing for years was a symptom of a systemic postural problem driven by an incorrect workstation setup. Once we corrected the cause and restored proper movement patterns, the symptoms resolved.
Why This Approach Works
Headaches and migraines often have musculoskeletal and postural origins that get overlooked. When someone spends 8+ hours a day in a compensatory position, the body adapts — and those adaptations can manifest as chronic headaches, neck pain, and “knots” that never resolve with massage alone. At CityIR, we look at the whole picture: the workstation, the posture, the movement patterns, and the tissue. That’s how you solve problems that years of medication and massage couldn’t.
Disclaimer: This case study is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Individual results may vary. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any treatment program.