Chronic Headache and Vomiting Resolved Through Upper Cervical and IMS-Based Care – A Case from Son’s Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic Clinic

by Son’s Rehabilitation Medicine & Chiropractic Clinic in Seoul

Headaches accompanied by vomiting can significantly disrupt a person’s daily life, especially when they persist for years without a clear diagnosis. Today, we’d like to share the story of a man in his 50s who suffered from recurrent headaches and vomiting for a long time but found meaningful improvement through a comprehensive treatment approach.

This patient had undergone multiple evaluations at various hospitals, including brain MRI scans, but no significant abnormalities were found. Despite this, his symptoms worsened over time, particularly the nausea and vomiting, which severely interfered with his quality of life.

Upon visiting our clinic, we identified signs of upper cervical dysfunction, restricted cervical mobility, and myofascial tightness in the neck and upper back regions. Based on these findings, we initiated an integrative treatment plan that included:

  • Upper cervical-focused manual care,

  • Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) therapy, and

  • Myofascial release techniques.

After several sessions, the patient reported a noticeable reduction in headache frequency, and more significantly, the vomiting episodes completely resolved.

Why Do Headache and Vomiting Occur Together?

When headaches are accompanied by vomiting but imaging studies show no structural brain lesions, functional disturbances may be the underlying cause. Common contributors include:

  • Upper Cervical Dysfunction
    The C1 and C2 vertebrae are anatomically and neurologically close to the brainstem, where the vomiting center resides. Misalignment or tension in this area may stimulate neural structures that affect autonomic function and trigger nausea or vomiting.

  • Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance
    The vagus nerve, which controls gastrointestinal activity, can become hypersensitive due to cervical dysfunction, leading to symptoms such as queasiness, nausea, or sudden vomiting.

  • Migraine and Vestibular Disorders
    In some cases, migraines or inner ear disorders (e.g., vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease) may present with both headache and vomiting. However, these are usually accompanied by other signs like vertigo or photophobia.

Clinical Reflection

This case demonstrates that even in the absence of structural abnormalities, upper cervical imbalance and neuromuscular dysfunction can be important contributors to chronic symptoms like vomiting. A comprehensive treatment approach that restores spinal and autonomic balance may help reduce symptoms in selected cases.

As always, individual results may vary, and treatment should be guided by careful clinical evaluation and patient-specific planning.

👍Consultation and Appointment Information

Son PMR & Chiropractic Clinic( 2nd floor, 229-1 Gucheonmyun-Ro, Gangdongu, Seoul, South Korea) 

by  Dr Son MD & DC 
Contact: 02-482-8875 in Seoul( +82-2-482-8875)

chson@daum.net

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