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★★★★★

4.7

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85 reviews

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Even after trying medication, lifestyle changes, and other “research-backed treatments” for migraine symptoms, does nothing feel like it’s really solving the issue? The Headache Doctor Podcast is on a mission to provide education and empower everyone with headaches and migraines to break FREE from a life of fear and dependence so that they can THRIVE in everything they do. Dr. Taves, founder of the podcast and owner of Novera: Headache Center believes you deserve to feel in control of your health again — with more symptom-free days and less worry over when the next migraine will hit. Physical therapy for the neck at his clinic has decreased headache and migraine symptoms for hundreds of people. Each week he dives into a topic related to headaches and migraines, or interviews experts to help you be informed as you manage your headaches and migraines. Hit “subscribe” to be the first to know about new episodes! P.S. – Outside of this podcast, Dr. Taves has provided superb education in the form of a detailed masterclass with videos which can be found on his website (www.noveraheadachecenter.com). His clinic also provides health coaching for patients out of state, and of course - in person care if you’re in Colorado! *Disclaimer: This advice is not meant to be a substitute for advice from a medical professional regarding diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment. Always seek advice from your physician, physical therapist, or other qualified healthcare provider with questions you may have regarding a healthcare condition. Reliance on the information provided within this podcast is done solely at your own risk.

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Check latest episodes from The Headache Doctor Podcast podcast

Breathing & Headaches: The Missing Connection

2026/10/05

Could the way you breathe be making it harder for your body to recover from headaches and migraines? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explores an often-overlooked piece of the headache puzzle: breathing. Not as the root cause of headaches, but as a factor that can influence your nervous system, sleep, muscle tension, stress response, and overall threshold for pain. He breaks down why nasal breathing matters, how mouth breathing and poor sleep can create a cycle of increased pain sensitivity, and how breathing patterns can influence the body's fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest responses. You'll also learn about overbreathing and CO₂ tolerance, how breathing can recruit muscles in the neck and shoulders thousands of times throughout the day, and simple strategies Dr. Taves recommends trying—including box breathing and a CO₂ tolerance step test. The goal isn't to claim that changing your breathing will eliminate migraines. It's to identify another factor you can work on to help your body recover, regulate stress, and potentially raise its tolerance for pain. 👉 Get your questions about headaches, migraines, and the factors that may be affecting your pain threshold answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

Daily Headaches: Why They Start, Why They Stick Around & How to Break the Cycle

2026/09/28

Do you have a headache every day that never seems to fully go away? It may feel like it started out of nowhere—but there may have been signs building long before your headaches became constant. In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explains why daily headaches start, why they can become so persistent, and what it takes to begin breaking the cycle. He breaks down how occasional headaches or migraines can progress into daily pain and explores factors that may push the system past its threshold—including neck, jaw, and shoulder dysfunction, stress, poor sleep, illness, inflammation, and changes in general health. You'll also learn about central sensitization—when the brain becomes increasingly sensitive to pain signals—and why recovering from long-standing daily headaches often requires addressing both the underlying source of pain and the brain's heightened response to it. Dr. Taves also discusses the role of medication, lifestyle, movement, sleep, nutrition, stress, and why a comprehensive plan may be necessary when headaches have been present for months or years. 👉 Get your questions about daily headaches and chronic migraines answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about Novera: Headache Center

Occipital or Trigeminal Neuralgia: Nerve Problem or Neck Problem?

2026/09/21

Sharp, burning, stabbing, or electrical pain in the back of your head, scalp, or behind your eye may lead to a diagnosis of occipital neuralgia or trigeminal neuralgia. But does that mean the nerve itself is the underlying problem? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explains how to tell whether your symptoms may involve more than the nerve—and why your neck could be an important part of the picture. He breaks down the anatomy behind occipital and trigeminal nerve pain, referred pain, and the trigeminal cervical complex. He also shares clues that may point toward neck involvement, including restricted neck movement, symptoms triggered by posture or prolonged sitting, tenderness at the base of the skull, and pain that begins in the neck and travels upward. You’ll also learn why Dr. Taves cautions against assuming that relief from a nerve block, injection, medication, or ablation proves the nerve itself was the original source of the problem—and what he recommends looking at instead. Plus, in Ask the Headache Doctor, Dr. Taves responds to people who spent years trying to get providers to recognize the connection between their neck pain and headaches or migraines. 👉 Get your questions about occipital neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and neck-related headaches answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

Vestibular Migraine: Why the Real Cause Is Often Missed

2026/09/14

If you’ve been diagnosed with vestibular migraine—or you live with ongoing dizziness, vertigo, or that constant “on a ship” feeling—there may be an important part of the picture that hasn’t been fully evaluated. In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explains why our healthcare system can miss the underlying cause of vestibular migraine—and what to look for instead. He breaks down the three systems your brain relies on for balance and orientation: The visual systemThe vestibular systemThe neck and proprioceptive systemWhile the inner ear is often evaluated thoroughly, and vision is sometimes considered, Dr. Taves explains why neck function is frequently overlooked—even though your brain depends on information from the neck to understand where your head and body are in space. You’ll also learn: How BPPV differs from other types of dizzinessWhy visual coordination mattersHow neck tension and altered proprioception may contribute to dizzinessWhy vestibular migraine is often multifactorialWhat to look for when testing has not given you a clear answerPlus, in Ask the Headache Doctor, Dr. Taves answers questions about food triggers and migraine threshold, and explains how Novera’s neck treatment approach differs from chiropractic manipulation. 👉 Get your questions about vestibular migraine, dizziness, and neck-related headaches answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about Novera: Headache Center

Chronic Pain? 4 Root Causes You May Be Missing

2026/09/07

What if chronic pain isn't simply something to silence—but a message your body is trying to send? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves sits down with Leigh Brandon, author of Beyond the Pain, functional medicine provider, manual therapist, and C.H.E.K practitioner, to explore why some people remain stuck in chronic pain despite medications, injections, exercises, or even surgery. Leigh breaks chronic pain down into four potential root-cause categories: Structural and biomechanical problemsMetabolic factors like nutrition, digestion, hormones, and inflammationNervous system dysregulation and sensitizationEmotional factors and traumaThey also discuss why pain can be protective rather than simply harmful, how the nervous system can remain hypersensitive after an injury has healed, and practical ways to start identifying patterns behind your own symptoms. If you've been in pain for years and feel like you've already tried everything, this conversation offers a different framework for understanding what your body may be telling you. 👉 Get your questions about chronic pain, headaches, migraines, and finding the root cause answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about Novera: Headache Center

Migraine With Aura vs. Without Aura: Are You Focusing on the Wrong Thing?

2026/08/31

What does it actually mean if you have migraine with aura vs. migraine without aura—and should that distinction determine how you approach treatment? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explains why visual disturbances, light and sound sensitivity, numbness, and other neurological symptoms can feel alarming, but focusing entirely on those symptoms may keep you from asking a more important question: What's making the system so sensitive in the first place? You'll learn: What migraine aura can look and feel likeWhy some people experience aura without significant head painHow the trigeminal cervical complex processes signals from the head, face, and neckWhy migraine symptoms can vary dramatically from person to personHow the jaw, occipital nerves, and upper neck may contribute to the pain pathwayWhy chasing individual symptoms can lead to a cycle of trigger avoidance and symptom managementPlus, in Ask the Headache Doctor, Dr. Taves answers questions about treating the upper neck with cervical instability and why Botox may work for migraines for years before seemingly stopping. 👉 Get your questions about migraine with aura, unusual migraine symptoms, neck-related headaches, and finding the root cause answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

Was Your Migraine Misdiagnosed? 5 Clues Your Doctor Got Your Headache Wrong

2026/08/24

What if your migraine diagnosis isn't necessarily wrong—but it isn't telling you the whole story? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves shares five clues that your headaches or migraines may have an overlooked neck-related component. Instead of looking only at symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity, throbbing, and one-sided pain, he explains why it's important to ask what's actually driving your nervous system to become so sensitive in the first place. The 5 clues he breaks down are: Your pain starts in—or is connected to—your neckWeather and barometric pressure changes trigger your symptomsExercise triggers a headache or migraineYour symptoms are consistently one-sidedYou have ongoing jaw, neck, or shoulder tensionDr. Taves also explains why normal X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans don't necessarily tell you how well your neck is moving or functioning—and why these clues may warrant a closer look at the neck, jaw, and shoulders. Plus, in Ask the Headache Doctor, Dr. Taves answers questions about distinguishing cervicogenic headaches from migraines and the role hormonal changes may play in migraine threshold. If you've had migraines for years, tried medication after medication, and still feel like you're missing an explanation, this episode will give you five specific things to consider. 👉 Get your questions about migraine diagnosis, neck-related headaches, and finding the root cause answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

Could Your Gut Be Lowering Your Migraine Threshold?

2026/08/17

Could what’s happening in your gut be affecting how vulnerable you are to migraines? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves sits down with functional health practitioner Taylor Knese of Mod Health Co. to explore the connection between gut health, hormones, stress, inflammation, and migraine threshold. They break down how the gut communicates with the brain, why digestion and bowel movements can offer clues about your overall health, and how imbalances involving estrogen, histamine, stress, and the gut microbiome may contribute to a lower migraine threshold. You’ll learn: How the gut and brain communicate through the vagus nerveWhy gut health may influence inflammation and migraine thresholdThe connection between estrogen, histamine, and hormonal migrainesHow chronic stress can affect digestion and gut motilityWhat your bowel movements may reveal about your digestive healthWhy walking, sleep, chewing your food, and eating a diverse whole-food diet matterHow gut health fits into a bigger, whole-body approach to migrainesIf you’ve focused on your headaches but never considered your digestion, hormones, or gut health, this conversation may help you see another piece of the migraine puzzle. Special Offer from Mod Health Co: Use discount code DRTAVES with Mod Health Co. to receive the listener discount mentioned in this episode. 👉 Get your questions about gut health, hormones, migraine triggers, and improving your migraine threshold answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

Is Your “Tension Headache” Just Tension… or a Hidden Migraine Unlock in Your Neck?

2026/08/10

Do your headaches build throughout the day—then sometimes turn into a migraine? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explains why tension headaches and migraines may not be two completely separate problems. A band-like headache, neck tightness, and shoulder tension can build over time, while a more irritated joint in the upper neck may create a sharper, one-sided migraine pattern. Rather than treating one as a muscle problem and the other as a neurological problem, Dr. Taves looks at both through one unified lens: the mechanics of the neck, shoulders, and jaw. You’ll learn: Why tension headaches often worsen throughout the dayHow prolonged sitting and forward posture load the neck and shouldersWhy a broad, band-like headache feels different from a one-sided migraineHow both patterns may still come from related mechanical problemsPractical ways to reduce tension, move more, and build resiliencePlus, in this week’s Ask the Headache Doctor segment, Dr. Taves answers questions about headaches after sitting through several classes, migraines that continue despite healthy lifestyle changes, and being told migraines are “all stress.” 👉 Get your questions about tension headaches, migraines, neck tension, and finding the root cause answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

The Real Root Cause of Migraines: Why Your Neck Might Be the Missing Piece

2026/08/03

Is migraine really a neurological disease—or could your neck be the missing piece? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves challenges one of the most common beliefs about migraines. He explains why a migraine diagnosis is based on symptoms—not necessarily the underlying cause—and why many people continue searching for answers after normal MRIs, CT scans, and medications. You'll learn how the neck, jaw, and shoulders can send pain into the same pathways that process migraine symptoms, why imaging often misses the real problem, and a simple self-assessment you can do at home to see whether your neck may be contributing to your headaches. You'll learn: Why migraine is a diagnosis based on symptomsWhat MRIs and CT scans are actually designed to rule outHow the trigeminal nerve processes head and facial painWhy neck dysfunction can create migraine-like symptomsWhy medications manage symptoms but don't identify the sourceFour simple ways to assess whether your neck may be involvedIf you've been told your scans are normal but you're still living with chronic migraines, this episode may change the way you think about what's really causing your symptoms. 👉 Get your questions about migraines, neck-related headaches, and finding the root cause answered inside our Free Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

Dizziness, Vertigo, or Vestibular Migraine? The 3 Drivers Doctors Treat—and the One They Miss

2026/07/27

Is your dizziness coming from your inner ear… your eyes… or something almost everyone overlooks? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explains why dizziness, vertigo, and vestibular migraines are often more complex than they seem. He breaks down the three major systems that help your brain maintain balance—and why treating only one or two of them may leave you searching for answers. You'll learn: The difference between dizziness, vertigo, and vestibular migraineHow the inner ear contributes to balance problemsWhy your visual system may be making dizziness worseThe often-overlooked role your neck plays in balance and vestibular symptomsWhy normal testing doesn't always rule out the true source of your symptomsHow addressing all three systems may lead to better long-term outcomesPlus, in this week's Ask The Headache Doctor segment, Dr. Taves answers listener questions about: Being told dizziness is "just stress"Vestibular testing that seemed to make symptoms worseWhen to keep pursuing answers after you've hit a dead endIf you've been living with unexplained dizziness, vertigo, or vestibular migraines, this episode will help you better understand what could be driving your symptoms—and why one important piece is often missed. 👉 Get your questions about dizziness, vertigo, vestibular migraine, and finding the root cause answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

Cervicogenic Headache Explained: The Neck Diagnosis That Could Change Your Life

2026/07/20

What exactly is a cervicogenic headache, and could it be the diagnosis that's been missing all along? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves explains one of the most overlooked diagnoses in headache care—a headache that originates from the neck. He discusses why neck dysfunction is frequently mistaken for migraine, why imaging often fails to identify the real problem, and how using the right language with your healthcare providers could completely change your treatment approach. You'll learn: What a cervicogenic headache isWhy neck problems are often mistaken for migrainesHow neck dysfunction can refer pain into the head, face, and behind the eyeWhy X-rays and MRIs don't always identify the underlying issueQuestions to ask your doctor or physical therapistWhy improving neck function may help reduce headaches instead of simply masking symptomsPlus, Dr. Taves answers listener questions about: Chronic headaches after whiplashMigraines triggered by lifting grocery bagsWhether triptans prove you have migrainesDaily headaches that start behind one eyeIf you've been told everything looks "normal" but you're still living with headaches or migraines, this episode may change the way you think about your diagnosis—and your path toward recovery. 👉 Get your questions about neck-related headaches, cervicogenic headaches, migraine symptoms, and finding the root cause answered inside our Free Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

Not All Stress Is Bad: How Good Stress Can Help Headaches

2026/07/13

Most people think all stress is bad—but what if avoiding every stressor is actually making your body less resilient? In Part 2 of this two-part series, Dr. Taves explores the concept of good stress and how the right kinds of short-term challenges can help your body become stronger, healthier, and more resilient to headaches and migraines. From exercise and cold exposure to learning new skills and building physical capacity, you'll learn why health isn't about eliminating stress—it's about adapting to it. You'll learn: The difference between good stress and chronic stressWhy resilience matters for headache recoveryHow exercise can increase your headache threshold over timeThe science behind hormesis and positive adaptationWhy recovery is just as important as the stress itselfPractical ways to safely build physical and mental resilienceIf you've been avoiding movement, exercise, or other challenges because you're afraid they'll trigger a headache, this episode offers a different perspective on how building resilience may be part of your recovery. 👉 Get your questions about stress, exercise, resilience, and headache recovery answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

How Stress Affects Headaches (And What You Can Do About It)

2026/07/06

Everyone says stress causes headaches—but what does that actually mean? In Part 1 of this two-part series, Dr. Taves explains what stress is, how it affects your body, and why chronic stress can increase headaches and migraines. Rather than blaming stress itself, this episode explores how your body's stress response can lower your pain threshold, increase muscle tension, and make headaches more likely. Most importantly, you'll learn practical strategies to help your body recover from chronic stress. You'll learn: What stress actually is and why it's a normal part of lifeThe difference between healthy stress and chronic stressHow chronic stress lowers your headache thresholdWhy stress causes neck, jaw, and shoulder tensionHow stress affects your nervous system, hormones, sleep, and overall healthPractical ways to calm your nervous system and reduce headache triggersIf you've ever said, "My headaches are just caused by stress," this episode will help you understand what's really happening inside your body—and what you can do about it. 👉 Get your questions about stress, headaches, nervous system regulation, and root-cause healing answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center

Periods, Pregnancy & Menopause: Why Migraines Change Over Time

2026/06/29

Do your migraines change around your period, during pregnancy, postpartum, or through menopause? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves and Dr. Sarah Thomas break down how female hormone changes can impact headaches and migraines across different stages of life. They explain why estrogen fluctuations can lower your threshold for pain, why symptoms often worsen around your period or perimenopause, and why pregnancy may improve migraines for some women but worsen them for others. You’ll learn: Why migraines often change with your cycle How estrogen affects headache sensitivity Why puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause matter How birth control can either help or worsen headaches Why hormones may be a trigger—but not the root cause If you’ve noticed your migraines shifting with hormonal changes, this episode will help you better understand what’s happening and what you can do next. 👉 Get your questions about hormonal migraines, menstrual headaches, pregnancy-related headaches, and root-cause healing answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about Novera: Headache Center

Podcast reviews

Read The Headache Doctor Podcast podcast reviews

4.7 out of 5

85 reviews

★★★★☆

Avid listener 227 2026/02/09

Your content is interesting and useful but it’s distracting that you say the word “like” in almost every sentence and often more than once

★★★★☆

Brendan52993 2025/03/26

Excited for more

I found this podcast through the Novera headache clinic and I found it a good balance between technical medical information and understanding the caus...

★★★★★

StephChes 2025/02/24

TN Relief

This podcast led me to the Novera clinic where I found complete relief of my Trigeminal Neuralgia shocks. I am pain free and med free and if I do get ...

★★★★★

Birdie_O 2025/02/06

Game changer

I’ve been battling cluster headaches and migraines for a decade, but after listening to Dr. Taves podcast I feel a glimmer of hope for my health.

★★★★★

Redhottrun 2024/11/02

Life changing!

I’ve been listening for years and love it! Migraines my entire life and after listening I am now I’m seeing that there alternative methods to the norm...

★★★★★

TiemLee 2024/06/10

A wealth of information

When you are feeling hopeless, helpless and afraid you will spend your life only managing your symptoms with medicine that barely works, this podcast ...

★★★★★

11122998877 2023/11/14

Deserves Ten Stars

I’ve been suffering with migraines for decades. I know and avoid my triggers. I’ve seen numerous neurologists, but not once has my neck ever been cons...

★★★★★

Bunk1910 2023/11/01

Migrainer for life

This podcast is so helpful! As someone who has Chiari and had suffered debilitating headaches the majority of my adult life, this podcast has shed som...

★★★★★

Cuadra 10 2023/10/16

Fascinating!!

I’ve suffered from weekly migraines for years and have figured out some of the triggers, but not been able to eliminate them completely. I’ve been res...

★★★★★

FromLisa2 2023/06/24

So much insight

What a fresh perspective on headaches, jaw, and my airway!

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