Headaches and migraines can be complex. We help you find relief.
Headaches show up for a lot of reasons: tension, sinus pressure, cluster patterns, or migraine, a distinct neurological condition. Sometimes it’s hard to tell which one you’re dealing with. But when headaches keep coming back, there can be more to the story.
Override specializes in chronic pain. Our virtual care team looks at the physical, neurological, and emotional factors that can influence ongoing headaches, then builds a personalized care plan around your needs, goals, and life.
of appointments are fully virtual. In-network with most insurance plans in select states.
of patients report improvement*
satisfaction with Override providers*
*Source: Internal Override Health patient-reported outcomes data
What Causes Headaches?
Where it hurts is a clue:
Back of the head or base of the skull, often tension-related or tied to neck posture
Sinus or face area, worse when leaning forward, often sinus-related
One-sided, severe, with light sensitivity, often migraine
Waking up with a headache, can point to sleep posture, teeth grinding, or sleep quality issues
Sudden, severe, “worst headache of your life,” see the safety note below
Common headache types:
- Tension headache, the most common type, often from muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
- Sinus headache, pressure related, often tied to congestion
- Cluster headache, severe, one sided, occurring in patterns over weeks
- Migraine, a distinct neurological condition, covered in depth on its own page
Chronic headache pain is also a nervous system story. When headaches continue for months, the nervous system can become more sensitized, amplifying pain signals even after the original trigger has settled. This is a real, physiological process most single-provider treatment plans never touch.
A note on safety
Most headaches are not an emergency, but a sudden, severe headache unlike any you’ve had before, especially with confusion, vision changes, slurred speech, facial drooping, or neck stiffness with fever, can signal something serious and needs emergency care immediately, not routine treatment.
When Headaches Become More Than a Head Problem
When you’ve lived with recurring headaches for months, they can start affecting much more than the hours you spend hurting.
Pain can change how you work, how you sleep, what you avoid like bright lights, certain foods, social plans, and how confident you feel making plans at all.
That’s why Override doesn’t treat headaches as only a symptom to numb.
We look at the whole pain experience and build a personalized plan around your symptoms, history, goals, and the factors that may be contributing to your pain.
A Whole-Person Approach to Headaches and Migraines
You may have already tried over-the-counter medication, seen a doctor, and tried cutting out triggers. Maybe something helped for a while. Maybe nothing did.
Override isn’t about asking one more treatment to solve every part of a complex pain experience.
It’s about bringing the right care together.
Depending on your needs, your personalized care plan may include:
Pain Medicine
Pain specialists trained in pain neuroscience and non-opioid chronic pain management who can oversee your care plan and adjust medications when appropriate.
Physical Therapy
Movement specialists trained in chronic pain who address neck and upper back tension, a recognized contributor to many headache patterns.
Pain Psychology
Pain-focused therapists who help address the stress and trigger patterns that can influence headache frequency and severity.
Coaching & Peer Support
Certified pain coaches help you turn what you’re learning into everyday habits, from hydration and sleep to trigger tracking, and stay supported between visits.
Your care is personalized to you. You may not need every service. The difference is that your providers can work together as one team, with one shared understanding of your pain and your goals.
Real Results
Override patient
Specific Conditions We Treat
Migraine
a distinct neurological condition with its own patterns, triggers, and treatment approach
Sinus Headache
pressure-related headaches tied to congestion
Cluster Headache
severe, one-sided headaches occurring in patterns
Tension Headache
the most common type, tied to muscle tension
How Are Headaches Treated?
There isn’t one treatment that works for every type of headache.
The right approach depends on your headache type, frequency, and known triggers. Treatment can include physical therapy, medications, and behavioral approaches.
We’ve created a complete guide to headache and migraine treatment options, including how different approaches work and when they may be considered.
When Should You Consider Override for Headaches?
Override may be a good fit if:
Your headaches have lasted three months or longer, or keep recurring
Your headaches are affecting your work, sleep, mood, or the things you want to do
You’ve tried medication or self-care without enough relief
You feel like you’ve been treating each headache in isolation without looking at the bigger picture
You’re looking for a more comprehensive approach to managing chronic pain
Override isn’t emergency or acute injury care. If you have a sudden, severe headache unlike any before, especially with confusion, vision changes, slurred speech, facial drooping, or fever with neck stiffness, seek appropriate in-person medical care right away.
Related Conditions
TMJ/TMD
Jaw-related conditions can contribute to headaches
Face Pain Disorder (Trigeminal Neuralgia)
Occipital Neuralgia
Often initially mistaken for tension headache or migraine
Neck & Shoulder Pain
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Tension in the neck and upper back is one of the most common headache contributors, which is why addressing posture and muscle tension is often central to treatment.
Occasional use is reasonable, but frequent reliance on medication can mask the underlying cause and, in some cases, lead to rebound headaches. Treatment aimed at the cause tends to reduce how often you need medication in the first place.
A sudden, severe headache unlike any before, especially with confusion, vision changes, slurred speech, facial drooping, or fever with neck stiffness, needs emergency evaluation.
Migraines typically involve more intense, often one-sided pain, along with nausea, light or sound sensitivity, and sometimes visual disturbances. General headaches are usually milder and don’t carry those additional symptoms.
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