In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down a question many people ask after years of suffering: What is a migraine — and why does the definition matter? Dr. Taves explains how migraines are diagnosed in today’s healthcare system, what symptoms typically qualify someone for a migraine label, and why migraine is often categorized as a primary headache—meaning it’s treated as something with no clear cause and managed mainly with medication. He also explores wh...

If you’ve tried everything for headaches or migraines and still feel stuck, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explains why evaluating both the neck and shoulders is critical for long-term headache and migraine relief—and why so many treatment approaches fall short. You’ll learn why the upper neck (C1–C3) is the most common source of head and facial pain, how restoring movement—not just reducing inflammation—can calm pain signals, and why focusi...

In this episode, Dr. Jono Taves breaks down the most common headache and migraine relief tools people buy for home use—especially around the holidays. From ice caps and nerve stimulation devices to neck massagers, traction units, and specialty pillows, he explains how each category works, what kind of relief it can realistically provide, and where its limitations lie. Dr. Taves organizes these tools into clear categories, helping listeners understand which devices temporarily reduce pain sign...

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 trea...

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 e...

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...

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 ...

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 jawThe difference between ear-based tinnitus and somatic tinnitusWhy muscle tension, joint stiffness, or previ...

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...

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 electrolyt...

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...

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: Mechanical causes – Issues in the neck, jaw, or shoulders that send pain signals into the head. Developmental fact...

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: A short-term mindset — expecting immediate results in...

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves helps listeners identify whether their headaches or migraines might actually be rooted in the neck. He introduces a simple 12-question quiz designed to uncover the connection between neck issues and head pain. Dr. Taves walks through key signs to look for—such as relief from chiropractic treatment, history of neck injury, posture habits, or pain that follows a “ram’s horn” pattern. He also explains how everyday factors like desk jobs, ...

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explores the confusing and often frightening world of atypical migraines. Unlike classic migraines—characterized by one-sided throbbing head pain and light or sound sensitivity—atypical migraines show up in unexpected ways, including: Visual disturbances and auraNumbness, tingling, or weaknessStroke-like symptoms such as facial droopingBrain fog, dizziness, or fatigueDr. Taves explains how the healthcare system typically treats atypica...

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down the complex world of vestibular migraines—a diagnosis often given when dizziness can’t be explained by ear, eye, or neurological tests. He explains why vestibular migraines are considered a “diagnosis of exclusion,” what symptoms patients may experience (from spinning vertigo to low-grade dizziness and nausea), and why medication-based approaches often fall short. Listeners will learn how dizziness connects to three key sys...

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down what it means to be diagnosed with “military neck”—a reduced or flattened curvature in the cervical spine. He explains how posture, tight muscles, and movement patterns contribute to this condition and why focusing on symptoms and movement (rather than perfect alignment) is the key to relief. Listeners will learn how issues in the low back and mid-back affect the neck, why accessory muscles in the shoulders and neck often b...

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves unpacks the connection between barometric pressure changes, headaches, and migraines. He explains how shifts in atmospheric pressure affect the joints—especially in the upper neck—by increasing joint pressure and inflammation, often leading to predictable pain during weather changes, altitude shifts, or even air travel. Dr. Taves also discusses why pressure changes don’t mean your headaches are unsolvable and shares practical steps you...

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves shares three practical and effective steps that anyone can take at home to reduce headaches and migraines. These strategies are simple, actionable, and designed to give you more control over your health without depending on medication. If you’ve been searching for ways to manage your headaches day-to-day, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to get started. 🔹 Book a Free Discovery Visit at Novera: Headache Center 👉 Sc...

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explains why children may develop daily headaches, especially as the school year begins. He covers abdominal and atypical migraines, the role of the neck, and common school-related triggers like screen time, sitting, and sports. Parents will learn practical tips to help their kids find relief and avoid years of unnecessary suffering. Click this link to take advantage of our 10% off SAM offer. Outside of Colorado? Click this link to boo...