In this episode I'm discussing tight shoulders and chronic headaches that hurt focus and productivity with Dr. Jono Taves, a Mayo Clinic-trained doctor of physical therapy and headache specialist who runs Novera Headache Center.
Dr. Taves explains many migraine and headache diagnoses are symptom-based “primary headaches” without objective drivers, so care often becomes medication-focused after scans rule out dangerous conditions. He emphasizes evaluating movement and sensitivity in the neck (plus jaw and shoulders) because upper-neck issues can refer pain to the head via the brain stem.
He outlines a three-part framework:
the pain source (often neck/jaw/shoulders), developmental barriers (hypermobility/EDS and airway or sleep apnea-related jaw and head positioning), and systemic factors affecting pain threshold (diet, inflammation, stress, hormones, especially estrogen dips).
He share practical strategies including more daily movement, desk and screen setup, sleep positioning, nasal breathing aids, whole-food nutrition, and appropriate strengthening.
⏱️⩇⩇:⩇⩇ Time Markers
00:00 Welcome and Topic
02:14 Meet the Headache Doctor
03:35 His Origin Story
07:12 Why Headaches Misdiagnosed
10:41 Testing and Primary vs Secondary
13:50 Neck Movement Pain Pathway
16:42 Three Legged Framework
20:31 Desk Posture and Text Neck
25:14 Hypermobility and Stability
27:08 Airway Jaw and Sleep
32:03 Hormones and Migraine Threshold
35:15 Food Triggers and Inflammation
39:06 Practical Steps Beyond Meds
43:15 Where to Find Dr Taves
44:41 Final Thanks and Goodbye
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🎙️🎙️🎙️About Our Guest
Dr. Jono Taves is a Mayo Clinic–trained Doctor of Physical Therapy and headache specialist who focuses on chronic and complex headache disorders. Throughout his career, he noticed a troubling pattern: many people suffering from persistent migraines and daily headaches were cycling through medications without ever addressing the underlying drivers of their pain.
You can learn more about him at:
https://www.noveraheadachecenter.com/
🔬🧪👩🔬Research Studies Referenced
Headache Disorders: Primary Vs. Secondary
Headache
Neck Pain And Migraine
📚📖Books on the Topic
The Headache: The Science of a Most Confounding Affliction—and a Search for Relief
The End of Migraines: 150 Ways to Stop Your Pain
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