Many people with migraines are told their symptoms are purely neurological and must be managed long-term with medication. In this episode, Dr. Taves explains why that model often leaves patients trapped in a cycle of trial-and-error prescriptions without clear answers. He shares the clinical pattern that changed his entire perspective: again and again, patients formally diagnosed with migraines experienced real improvement when restrictions in the upper cervical spine were identified and treated through specialized physical therapy.

Dr. Taves breaks down how the upper neck (from the base of the skull through about C3) can refer pain into the head and face and create symptoms that look exactly like classic migraine. He explains why standard imaging and routine medical exams frequently miss these issues — because they don’t test true upper-cervical function or motion.

You’ll learn why migraines often “start in the neck,” how to think about root cause versus symptom management, and why restoring normal joint movement in the upper cervical spine can be a reliable, medication-free path toward lasting relief for many headache and migraine sufferers.

Novera: Headache Center

If you’ve been dealing with headaches or migraines and still haven’t started treatment, you’re not alone — and there are clear reasons why. In this episode, Dr. Taves breaks down 7 of the most common barriers that keep people stuck, like waiting for the next medication to work, feeling like it’s “not a good time,” trying to pinpoint triggers first, or being told it’s not a neck issue.

He explains why symptom-management thinking delays real recovery, how migraines quietly steal your time and energy, and why taking action sooner often makes the path forward simpler. You’ll leave with a clearer view of what’s holding you back — and how to move toward lasting relief with confidence.

Novera: Headache Center

In this powerful episode, Dr. Taves sits down with award-winning film composer Grant Fonda, who spent more than 20 years living with daily headaches, severe fatigue, numbness, and symptoms so alarming they led to emergency hospital visits and a diagnosis of “complex migraines.” Providers offered medications, expensive lifelong drugs, and limited answers — but no solutions.

Grant shares the turning point that brought him to Novera: Headache Center, the surprising root cause behind his symptoms, and how targeted neck-focused treatment dramatically improved his sleep, pain, headaches, brain fog, and overall health — leaving him feeling the best he has in decades.

This conversation is filled with hope, clarity, and a reminder that life-changing relief is possible, even after years of suffering.

Novera: Headache Center

In this episode, Dr. Taves and Dr. Sarah Thomas explore how GLP-1 weight loss drugs—such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro—may influence headaches and migraines. They break down how these medications work in the body, how blood sugar stability impacts migraine symptoms, and why some people notice improvement while others experience worsening headaches.

They also discuss an important but often overlooked consideration: even if GLP-1 medications help with weight loss or migraine symptoms, there may be other factors to think about before relying on them long-term. From side effects to the difference between symptom management and addressing the root cause, this episode helps listeners understand the full picture so they can make informed decisions.

Novera: Headache Center

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves dives into the surprising connection between tinnitus (ear ringing) and the neck. Many people are told their tinnitus is purely an ear problem — but for some, the root cause is actually mechanical and related to the upper cervical spine—the neck.

You’ll learn:

• How to identify if your tinnitus changes when you move your neck or jaw
• The difference between ear-based tinnitus and somatic tinnitus
• Why muscle tension, joint stiffness, or previous whiplash injuries can influence ear ringing
• How posture and neck mobility affect the nerves that connect to the ear
• Simple steps you can take to reduce ringing naturally

If your tinnitus seems to come and go — or changes when you move — this episode will help you understand why and what you can do about it.

Learn more or schedule a free discovery visit:

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In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explores how issues with the jaw and airway can contribute to headaches and migraines. He breaks down how restricted breathing, muscle tension, and misalignment in the jaw and neck can impact the entire headache system — and why these problems often go undiagnosed.

Listeners will learn how airway obstruction and jaw tension can affect oxygen flow, stress responses, and nerve sensitivity, all of which may increase headache frequency and intensity. Dr. Taves also shares practical insights on how to identify if jaw or airway dysfunction could be at the root of your headaches and what can be done to address it.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your jaw pain or nighttime breathing issues could be linked to your migraines, this episode is a must-listen.

Novera: Headache Center

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down why heat can trigger headaches and migraines — whether it’s from exercising on a hot day, sitting in the sun, or just raising your body temperature.

He explains how increased intracranial pressure, blood flow changes, dehydration, and stress on the neck and shoulders can combine to push your system past its threshold. You’ll learn:

 🌡️ Why heat and exercise often trigger migraines
 💧 How hydration and electrolytes really factor in
 💪 The surprising connection between the neck, jaw, and shoulders and heat sensitivity
 🧘 Practical tips for reducing risk — from warm-up strategies to movement habits that build tolerance

The key message: your headaches aren’t random — and avoiding heat isn’t the only answer. Once you address the underlying neck problem, your body can handle more without pain.

Novera: Headache Center

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves takes listeners on a fascinating journey through history — exploring how habits like toothbrushing and hand washing became universal health practices, and why head and neck movement should be viewed the same way.

Using examples from dental hygiene and early medicine, Dr. Taves explains how simple, overlooked solutions — like brushing your teeth or washing your hands — transformed public health. He draws a powerful parallel to headaches and migraines, showing that regular movement and neck care could be the next major shift in preventive health.

Listeners will learn why our modern, sedentary lifestyles are creating “neck cavities,” and how small, consistent movement habits can prevent chronic pain, much like daily brushing prevents tooth decay.

Dr. Taves challenges us to rethink our approach to health: what if the key to long-term headache and migraine relief isn’t a new medication, but a new daily habit?

Novera: Headache Center

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down his proven Three Spoke Framework — a simple but powerful way to understand and treat nearly every type of headache and migraine.

He explains that while headaches can present in many confusing ways — from tension and hormonal migraines to aura, dizziness, or neck pain — most cases fit into three key categories:

1. Mechanical causes – Issues in the neck, jaw, or shoulders that send pain signals into the head.
   
   
2. Developmental factors – Airway, dental, or postural issues that affect how the body functions over time.
   
   
3. Systemic influences – Hormones, gut health, stress, and inflammation that lower the body’s pain threshold.

Dr. Taves discusses how understanding these three categories helps identify the true source of pain and create a personalized, medication-free path to lasting relief. He emphasizes that most patients are not outliers — and with the right framework, long-term improvement is possible.

Novera: Headache Center

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explores why some patients fail to find lasting relief from headaches and migraines—even when they have access to the right treatment. Drawing from years of clinical experience, he explains how recovery often depends less on quick fixes and more on mindset, consistency, and trust in the healing process.

Dr. Taves highlights three major barriers that can keep patients from improving:

1. A short-term mindset — expecting immediate results instead of long-term progress.
   
   
2. A passive approach — wanting a provider to “fix” the problem without making lifestyle changes.
   
   
3. Excessive skepticism — being too critical to fully engage in the treatment process.
   
   

He compares true healing to building healthy habits—like brushing and flossing your teeth or exercising over time. Success, he says, comes from patience, persistence, and a willingness to take ownership of your health.

This episode helps listeners recognize the traits of a good candidate for migraine treatment and how to overcome the habits and attitudes that may be holding them back.

Novera: Headache Center