The Headache Doctor Podcast

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 mo...

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...

You got an MRI. It showed a Chiari malformation. Now what? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down what a Chiari malformation is, why it shows up on MRI, and whether it’s actually the cause of your headaches, migraines, dizziness, or neck pain. You’ll learn why imaging findings don’t always tell the full story, when surgery may be worth considering, and why neck tensi...

Seeing flashing lights, zigzags, blind spots, or visual disturbances before a migraine? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves is joined by Novera headache specialist Dr. Kristen Bellasaro to break down ocular migraines, retinal migraines, and migraine with aura. They explain the differences between these diagnoses, why visual symptoms can be so alarming, and how the traditional...

What if your headaches are actually coming from your neck? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down one of the most overlooked—and most important—headache diagnoses: cervicogenic headache. A cervicogenic headache simply means a headache that originates from the neck. Yet despite being incredibly common, it’s often missed, misdiagnosed, or mistaken for migraines, occipi...

Migraines can feel isolating—but you’re not alone. In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves and Dr. Sarah Thomas break down the stories of celebrities, athletes, musicians, and performers who have publicly struggled with headaches and migraines. From Lady Gaga and Serena Williams to Hugh Jackman and Terrell Davis, this episode highlights how migraines impact people at every level—...

If you take medication for headaches or migraines, it’s important to understand what it can help with—and what it was never designed to fix. In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down the role of medication in headache and migraine management , including how medications can reduce symptoms, why they don’t address the root cause , and how to think about medication as one...

Waking up with headaches? Your pillow —and your sleep —might be the problem. In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, we break down one of the most overlooked drivers of headaches and migraines: sleep. From pillow support and sleep position to nighttime routines and breathing patterns , this episode gives you a practical checklist to identify what could be disrupting your sleep—and contribu...

Do your headaches feel like a tight band around your head that gets worse as the day goes on? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, we break down tension-type headaches—one of the most common (and frustrating) types of headaches people experience. You’ll learn why these headaches build throughout the day, what’s actually causing that pressure and tightness, and what you can start doing t...

Could mold in your home be the reason behind your headaches or migraines? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Jono Taves and Dr. Sarah Thomas break down one of the most commonly blamed—but often misunderstood—triggers: mold. While mold is frequently linked to headaches online, the real answer is more nuanced. This episode explores what the research actually says, when mold might ma...

You’ve seen the eye doctor. You’ve been told everything looks normal.  So why does your eye still hurt? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, we unpack one of the most frustrating experiences for headache and migraine sufferers—ongoing eye pain with no clear diagnosis. Using a simple “kinked hose” analogy, we explain why the pain you feel behind your eye is often not coming from your eye...

In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, we explore why community is the missing piece in long-term migraine and headache relief —and how a root-cause approach can help you break free from dependence on medication. If you’ve been stuck between consuming free content and committing to full treatment, this episode introduces a new solution: a supportive community designed to help you take act...

If you’ve been dealing with jaw pain, headaches, dizziness, or brain fog—and no one can give you clear answers—this episode is for you. Dr. Jono Taves sits down with TMJ and neck pain specialist Dr. Joe Damiani to break down the real cause behind these frustrating symptoms. Most people are told to see a dentist, ENT, or neurologist—but often leave without answers. That’s because these issues are r...

Are migraines genetic—or are you stuck with headaches because they run in your family? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down the truth about genetics and migraines. While family history can increase your risk, it doesn’t mean you’re destined to live with headaches forever. You’ll learn how genetics influence your body’s pain threshold, brain chemistry, and anatomy—b...

Can yoga actually help relieve headaches and migraines? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves sits down with Amber Richmond, owner of Cambio Yoga, to explore how yoga can reduce headache frequency, ease tension, and improve overall well-being. Amber shares her personal journey with headaches and explains how yoga goes beyond stretching—impacting stress levels, breathing pattern...

If you suffer from headaches or migraines, this episode breaks down three simple, practical exercises that could help reduce your symptoms—starting today. Dr. Taves shares the “low-hanging fruit” strategies used at Novera Headache Center that have helped many patients experience real relief without relying solely on medication. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why chin tucks can relieve tension at t...

In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast , Dr. Jono Taves shares the three most important lessons he’s learned after a decade of helping patients with chronic headaches and migraines . If you’ve ever felt frustrated navigating the healthcare system, relying on medication, or still searching for answers about your migraines, this conversation will challenge how you think about head pain. Dr....

Daylight Saving Time can disrupt your sleep—and that disruption can directly affect headaches and migraines. In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast , Dr. Jono Taves explains why sleep quality is one of the most important foundations for reducing headache and migraine frequency. As the clocks change and we lose an hour of sleep, many people experience increased fatigue, higher stress levels...

In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Jono Taves explains why having a clear migraine treatment plan is one of the most important factors in long-term healing. Too often, headache and migraine sufferers are given medication without a clear explanation of why their symptoms are happening or how to move forward. Dr. Taves shares a personal story from his newborn son’s recent hospital s...

Can your vision be driving your headaches, dizziness, or brain fog—even if you have 20/20 eyesight? In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast , Dr. Taves sits down with neuro-optometrist Dr. Michael Saxerud to explore how the brain processes vision and why visual dysfunction is often an overlooked root cause of headaches and migraines. They break down the difference between eyesight and brain...

The supplement industry is a mess—and for people with headaches and migraines, choosing the wrong supplements can mean wasted money or even worsening symptoms. In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast , Dr. Taves is joined by functional medicine nutritionist Hallie to break down how to choose supplements that actually work. They explain why most supplements are poorly regulated, how to spot...

Gut health can be a hidden driver of chronic migraines—especially when it shows up as sugar cravings, inflammation, and hormone imbalance . In this episode, Dr. Taves and functional medicine nutritionist Hally Brooks explain how gut dysfunction and microbiome imbalance can lower your migraine threshold, why sugar cravings are often biology-driven (not just willpower), and how PCOS/estrogen dominan...

If you’re looking for long-term migraine relief (not temporary fixes), this episode breaks down the three essentials you can’t overlook. In this episode of The Headache Doctor Podcast , Dr. Taves explains Novera Headache Center’s Three-Spoke Framework for true, root-cause migraine relief: The source of pain (often the neck, jaw, and shoulders) Why you got here (hidden barriers like airway issues,...

How treatable are your headaches or migraines — and what determines how quickly you can see relief? In this episode, Dr. Jono Taves breaks down why all headaches are treatable, but not all follow the same recovery timeline . Drawing from over a thousand real patient cases, he explains how symptom frequency, pain patterns, and overall health help predict how the body responds to care. Dr. Taves wal...

If you experience stabbing, burning, or behind-the-eye pain—and have been told it’s trigeminal neuralgia or a migraine—this episode will help you understand what may really be happening. Dr. Taves breaks down the trigeminal nerve, its three branches, and how the trigeminal pathway connects facial pain with the upper neck and brainstem. You’ll learn why the trigeminal nerve is often blamed for migr...