When a child suffers from chronic headaches or migraines, it doesn’t just impact their life—it shakes the foundation of the entire family. That was the case for Julie and her 8-year-old daughter, Addi, whose painful journey through unrelenting headaches took them through hospitalization, harsh medications, and sleepless nights—until they finally found a path to healing at Novera: Headache Center.
A Sudden Shift into Crisis
Addi was a healthy, active child. She danced, played outside, and lit up the spaces she entered. But in the fall of 2024, her life came to a screeching halt when near-daily headaches escalated into debilitating pain. Initially dismissed as stress, dehydration, or vision-related issues, her symptoms rapidly worsened. Soon, Addi could no longer eat, sleep, or attend school. Her family’s life became centered around managing her suffering—common doctor and ER visits and medication trials that provided no relief.
Even after an inpatient stay at a children’s hospital, Addi’s pain persisted. Despite being administered powerful medications like ketamine and IV steroids, she was still rating her pain an 8 out of 10. It was heartbreaking. As Julie described, “We were not functioning. She wasn’t functioning. Our entire family was not functioning.”
A Turning Point: Considering the Neck
Julie, a physical therapist by training, had a crucial realization while comforting Addi one night. She gently manipulated her daughter’s neck and noticed referred pain traveling behind her eyes and across her forehead—classic indicators that her neck might be involved in her symptoms. Despite her professional background, Julie—like many parents and even healthcare providers—hadn’t previously considered the neck as a primary source of migraine-like symptoms. The pain seemed too life-altering to be corrected by such a conservative approach.
But Julie was desperate, and her subsequent google searches for alternative treatment methods led her to Novera: Headache Center, where the team specializes in treating headaches and migraines by identifying and resolving underlying physical dysfunction in the neck.
From Rock Bottom to Full Recovery
Within just one treatment at Novera, Addi slept through the night for the first time in weeks. The improvement was dramatic and consistent. Over the next few weeks, Addi steadily regained her strength, returned to school, and eventually resumed dancing. By January, she was competing in dance competitions and placing in the top 10—a stunning transformation.
As Julie put it, their family went from complete desperation to their daughter getting her life back—all by addressing something the medical model completely ignored: her neck.
Why This Matters for Other Families
Addi’s story underscores an essential truth: medication and even hospitalization don’t always uncover the root of headache symptoms. In many cases, especially in children, the neck plays a vital role in chronic head pain. Yet this area is frequently overlooked in mainstream care.
At Novera: Headache Center, we use specialized hands-on physical therapy to restore mobility, reduce tension, and treat dysfunction in the neck. This approach not only addresses the cause but empowers families with tools to manage symptoms and prevent relapse.
Don’t Wait for Relief
If your child is suffering from headaches or migraines—whether they’re new and infrequent or already disruptive—know that there is hope. Julie’s story (also available here in audio/video form) is a powerful reminder that early, thoughtful intervention can change the course of a child’s life.
👉 Learn more or book a visit (in-person or virtual) at www.noveraheadachecenter.com
