Exertional and post-training headaches are more common in high school and college athletes than most parents realize. At Mihlon Family Chiropractic Center, we regularly see Ocean County student-athletes whose headaches are quietly limiting their training, their focus, and their performance.

The verified outcome

A Central Regional-area athlete in our records presented with headaches that consistently appeared 30–60 minutes into hard training and lingered for hours afterward. Concussion workup was negative. Cervical exam revealed C1–C2 restriction with tight suboccipitals — a classic pattern in athletes with sustained helmet or headgear use. After 6 visits of upper-cervical adjusting, suboccipital release, and breathing pattern work, the athlete completed a full season without a single post-training headache.

Why athletes get these headaches

• Sustained cervical extension in sport (wrestling, football down-linemen, gymnastics)
• Breath-holding and Valsalva during max effort
• Dehydration and heat load
• Cumulative micro-impacts that never rise to concussion level

What our exam rules out first

Any new headache in an athlete deserves a concussion screen. We coordinate with pediatricians and sports medicine physicians whenever a concussion or vascular concern is on the table. Once red flags are clear, cervical-driven exertional headaches respond quickly.

A note for coaches and parents

If your athlete is reporting "just tired" headaches after every hard practice, don't accept it as normal. Chronic exertional headaches are a signal, not a personality trait. A short course of evaluation and care in Bayville can often clear them completely.