Migraine and Headache Treatment in New York City
Coping with daily stress can contribute to migraine headaches, which are common in the fast pace of New York City. This page explains how Craniosacral Therapy (CST) can be a gentle, hands-on option for supporting migraine relief — without cracking or forceful manipulation.
Dr. Alex Kaminsky, D.C. · Non-invasive Craniosacral Therapy · comfortable, clothed sessions
Migraine patterns vary by person. Results vary and craniosacral care does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms are severe or sudden, seek medical attention.
Craniosacral Therapy for migraine headaches
Migraine headaches can take on unique characteristics for each patient. In this approach, migraines are viewed as the result of deep tension patterns being held in the head and body, together with a poorly functioning craniosacral mechanism.
Craniosacral Therapy was developed by Dr. John Upledger as a non-invasive method focusing on the link between the cranium (the head) and the sacrum (the base of the spine), addressing the fluid flow and the membranes connected to both. Because CST centers on the very structures involved in migraine patterns — the head, spine, muscles, fascia, and nerves — it is well positioned as a gentle, hands-on option for migraine relief here in Midtown Manhattan.
A whole-system view of head pain
Rather than treating a migraine as an isolated event in the head, this approach looks at how the bones of the skull, the soft tissues of the neck, and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid all relate to one another. When restriction builds up in any part of that system, it can show up as the pressure, throbbing, and sensitivity that many migraine sufferers in New York City know all too well. The goal of care is to ease those restrictions so the body can find more comfort and balance on its own.
To understand the foundation of this work, you may want to read more about Craniosacral Therapy and how the gentle, light-touch CST approach is used for a range of conditions.
Common migraine symptoms
The most common migraine headache symptoms include:
- Intense, severe, or constant pain on one or both sides of the head — often one-sided, which can help distinguish migraines from tension or cluster headaches.
- Nausea, loss of appetite, upset stomach, and sometimes vomiting.
- Increased sensitivity to sound and light, as well as aura.
- Blurred vision or visual disturbances such as flashing lights or unusual shapes and lines.
- Dizziness and shakiness.
- Numbness or weakness in facial or neck muscles.
- Increased thirst.
- Difficulty concentrating, speaking normally, or holding a conversation.
Beyond migraines
Dr. Kaminsky works with a range of headache patterns and believes many headaches — regardless of label — can stem from a common issue: impaired mobility between the cranial bones at their sutures.
- Migraine headaches
- Stress headaches
- Cervicogenic headaches
- Tension headaches
- Cluster headaches
- Vascular headaches
If you are not sure which pattern fits your experience, that is common — and it is one of the first things a thorough assessment helps clarify.
When to seek urgent medical care. Craniosacral Therapy does not diagnose or treat the underlying causes of head pain. If a headache is sudden, severe, or the worst you have ever had, or if it is accompanied by fever, a stiff neck, confusion, fainting, weakness or numbness, vision loss, trouble speaking, or follows a head injury, treat it as a medical emergency and seek a physician's care right away.
Tension, neck, and jaw headaches
Not every headache is a migraine. Many adults in Midtown come in with headaches that start in the neck, the jaw, or the tight muscles of the head. Dr. Kaminsky works with these patterns too, using the same gentle, hands-on approach.
Tension headaches
A tension headache often feels like a tight band or steady pressure around the head. It is often linked to stress, poor sleep, and tight muscles in the neck, scalp, and jaw. Gentle craniosacral work aims to ease that tension and help the body settle.
Neck-related headaches
A cervicogenic headache is a headache that starts in the neck. The pain often begins at the base of the skull and spreads toward the forehead, temple, or behind the eye, usually on one side. Long hours at a desk or screen can strain the upper neck. Care focuses on easing tight neck muscles and restriction around the upper spine and skull.
Jaw and TMJ headaches
Jaw-related headaches are their own condition and are treated as part of TMJ care. If clenching or jaw tension comes with your headaches, see the TMJ pain relief page.
Chronic, near-daily headaches
If you have headaches most days, you are not alone. Many patients come to Dr. Kaminsky after trying medications, Botox, or physical therapy. Care is gentle and works alongside your doctor or neurologist, not in place of them.
Is it a sinus headache?
Pressure behind the cheeks and forehead that comes with congestion may point to a sinus headache instead. See the sinus headache treatment page to learn how that is handled.
A calm, hands-on craniosacral session
In Craniosacral Therapy, the patient remains fully clothed and lies down in a relaxed position. Dr. Kaminsky uses trained, skilled touch to evaluate the craniosacral rhythm and to detect restrictions and imbalances in the craniosacral system — the bones, membranes, and cerebrospinal fluid.
How a visit unfolds
- Gentle evaluation of the skull and sacrum to assess rhythm and restriction.
- Soft, non-invasive techniques to normalize rhythm and ease restrictions in spinal tissues and fascia.
- A focus on stress patterns that can involve the autonomic nervous system, including neck and jaw tension and clenching.
- The goal of reducing pressure patterns around the head and supporting freer fluid dynamics.
Quiet, unhurried, and comfortable
Sessions are designed to feel calm and low-stress, which matters when stress itself is such a common migraine trigger. The touch is light rather than forceful, and there is no cracking or aggressive manipulation. Many patients report improvement after one or two sessions, with continued progress over time. Results vary from person to person.
Because head pain so often involves the neck, jaw, and overall body tension, sessions may also draw on related gentle methods such as Myofascial Release for soft-tissue restriction and Vagus Nerve Toning, which may help support a calmer, less stressed state.
Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy for headaches
CST offers many potential benefits for headache sufferers, including:
- Relief of head and neck tension or pain
- Reduced future headache occurrences
- Reduced tiredness
- Diminished eye pressure
- Diminished head pressure
- Improved neck spasm
- Decreased overall stress
These reflect the kinds of changes patients have described, not guaranteed outcomes. The aim of each session is simply to help your body let go of restriction and tension so that it can function more comfortably.
If you are unsure which type of headache pattern you are experiencing, call the office to schedule a visit.
"Migraine headaches are often triggered by stress and deep tension patterns. A gentle, hands-on approach can help restore comfort by reducing restrictions and supporting the craniosacral mechanism."
Addressing the cause of headache pain
Many patients come to Dr. Kaminsky after trying Botox, physical therapy, medications, and other treatments without lasting improvement. He believes this often happens because the real cause is not being addressed: impaired cranial mobility at the sutures.
This compromise in movement at the sutures is involved in pumping cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) throughout the enclosed head-and-spine system — sometimes described as the craniosacral mechanism. When mobility and fluid dynamics are supported, headache patterns can improve.
What treatment aims to do
Treatment aims to address the cause and origin of the pain by reducing cranial misalignment, easing muscular neck spasms, relieving physiological restrictions, easing personal stressors, and supporting freer CSF flow within the head and spine. To learn more about the fluid system this work supports, see how the body works.
What the research says
Research on craniosacral therapy is still growing. Here are a few studies on migraines.
- In a 2022 study, 50 adults with migraines got either craniosacral therapy or a fake treatment for 4 weeks. The craniosacral group had less pain, fewer migraines, and took less medicine. The gains held a month later.
- A 2023 study of 87 adults with 4 to 9 migraines a month found craniosacral therapy was safe. It also lowered how often migraines came and how bad they were.
- A 2024 study of 74 adults with chronic migraines compared craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, and medicine alone. Both hands-on groups had less head pain, less jaw tension, and better neck movement.
Results vary from person to person. This kind of hands-on care works alongside care from your doctor. It doesn't replace it.
Frequently asked questions
Can Craniosacral Therapy help with migraine headaches?
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on, non-invasive method that aims to reduce head and neck tension, ease pressure patterns, and support the craniosacral mechanism. Many patients report improvement, often after one or two sessions, with continued progress over time. It is complementary to medical care, not a cure, and results vary from person to person.
What happens during a craniosacral session for headaches?
You remain fully clothed and lie down in a relaxed position. Dr. Kaminsky uses trained, light touch to evaluate the craniosacral rhythm and to detect restrictions and imbalances in the bones, membranes, and cerebrospinal fluid of the craniosacral system, then uses soft techniques to ease those restrictions.
What kinds of headaches does Dr. Kaminsky work with?
Dr. Kaminsky works with migraine, stress, cervicogenic, tension, cluster, and vascular headaches. He believes many headaches, regardless of label, can stem from a common issue: impaired mobility between the cranial bones at their sutures.
How many sessions will I need?
Migraine patterns vary by person, so the number of visits varies as well. Many patients notice improvement after one or two sessions and continue to progress with further care. Dr. Kaminsky will discuss a plan suited to your headache pattern and goals.
When should I see a doctor instead?
Craniosacral Therapy does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. If a headache is sudden, severe, or the worst you have ever had, or comes with fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness, vision loss, or follows a head injury, seek medical attention right away.
Can I get a headache after a craniosacral session?
Some people notice mild, temporary changes for a day or two as the nervous system settles, such as light soreness, fatigue, or a mild headache. Drinking water and gentle movement can help. If a headache is severe, sudden, or unlike your usual pattern, seek medical care.
Should I stop taking my migraine medication?
No. Keep taking your medications as prescribed. Craniosacral therapy works alongside your medical care. Only change a medication with your doctor's guidance.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Bring a list of your current and past headache medications, plus any imaging reports or notes from your doctor. If you keep a headache diary, bring that too. It helps show patterns and triggers.
How much does a visit cost, and are evening visits available?
Adult visits are $325 for the first visit and $225 for each follow-up. The office is open until 9 pm Monday through Thursday. It does not bill insurance, but you get a superbill, and HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Ready to get migraine support?
Call the office or send a request and the practice will follow up to discuss your questions, availability, and next steps.