03/24/2026 7 - 9 PM CT Functional Medicine 308 | Managing the Headache Patient: A Functional Chiropractic Framework

Howard Benedikt, DC, DCBCN
President, Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition
Lead Instructor – Certified Chiropractic Nutritionist (CCN) Program
Email: vze25ns8@verizon.net

With over 46 years of expertise, Dr. Benedikt is a leading authority in chiropractic clinical nutrition and functional medicine. As President of the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition (DCBCN) and Lead Faculty at CCEDseminars, he delivers cutting-edge, PACE-approved chiropractic continuing education online courses focused on evidence-informed nutrition strategies and clinical application.

Dr. Benedikt’s patient-centered approach and commitment to education have made him a trusted mentor to thousands of chiropractors. His functional medicine training blends actionable nutrition, lifestyle, and clinical reasoning—built for flexible schedules and real-world implementation.

• Differentiate common headache types using a mechanism-based framework
• Explain the role of neuroinflammation, immune activation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in headache disorders
• Identify musculoskeletal and cervicogenic contributors to headache patterns
• Recognize the influence of gut dysfunction, metabolic stress, and nutrient deficiencies on headache frequency
• Apply a sequenced functional medicine approach to headache management
• Integrate nutritional and lifestyle strategies into clinical headache care
• Develop individualized management plans based on pattern recognition rather than diagnosis labels

Clinical Overview of Headache Disorders

• Prevalence and impact of headache disorders
• Limitations of conventional symptom-based approaches
• Headache as a neurological and protective output
• Identification of red flags and secondary headache patterns

Headache Phenotypes and Pattern Recognition

• Tension-type headache mechanisms
• Migraine and migraine-spectrum presentations
• Cervicogenic headache patterns
• Sinus-like and referred headache presentations
• Central sensitization and chronic daily headache
• Mixed and overlapping headache patterns

Musculoskeletal and Neuromechanical Contributors

• Cervical spine biomechanics and headache referral
• Upper cervical dysfunction and postural stress
• Myofascial trigger points and headache generation
• Integration of manual care within a systems model

Neuroinflammation and Immune Activation

• Neuroimmune cross-talk and headache pain
• Cytokine signaling and trigeminal sensitization
• Role of mast cells and microglial activation
• Stress, HPA axis dysregulation, and headache amplification
• Sleep disruption and persistent headache patterns

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Metabolic Triggers

• Headache as an energy-demand disorder
• ATP requirements in neuronal tissue
• Oxidative stress and mitochondrial signaling
• Post-exertional headache flares
• Metabolic instability and glucose dysregulation

Gut–Brain Axis and Nutritional Influences

• Intestinal permeability and immune activation
• Food sensitivities and immune-mediated headache triggers
• Dysbiosis and neuroinflammatory signaling
• Key nutrient deficiencies associated with headaches
• Evidence-informed nutritional strategies

Functional Assessment and Clinical Strategy

• History and intake priorities for the headache patient
• Appropriate use and interpretation of laboratory data
• Sequencing care to avoid symptom flares
• Patient education and expectation management

Case Application and Clinical Integration

• Case example of chronic recurrent headaches
• Identification of dominant drivers
• Clinical sequencing and intervention strategy
• Outcomes and clinical lessons

Looking for bundle deals for multiple chiropractic CE courses? CCEDseminars makes it easy to build your renewal package. Combine this headache-focused functional medicine course with additional chiropractic CE webinars or on-demand programs and save when you register for multiple courses.

Need documentation fast? CCEDseminars offers immediate certificate delivery after course completion and evaluation, helping you meet chiropractic continuing education requirements and maintain clean records for renewal or audit documentation.

Which companies offer bundle deals for multiple chiropractic CE courses?
CCEDseminars offers bundle options so you can combine this functional medicine headache webinar with other chiropractic CE and chiropractic CEU courses to complete your renewal efficiently.

Where can I purchase chiropractic CE courses with immediate certificate delivery?
CCEDseminars provides immediate certificate delivery after course completion and evaluation so you can document your chiropractic continuing education online courses quickly.

Are there chiropractic CE courses recognized by major chiropractic associations?
Yes. CCEDseminars is a PACE-recognized provider and our courses are accepted in most jurisdictions. Always verify with your licensing board.

Which chiropractic CE courses provide courses specifically for pain management?
CCEDseminars offers multiple chiropractic CE courses addressing pain-related clinical topics, including systems-based approaches to headache patterns and chronic pain drivers.

Best online chiropractic functional medicine courses?
Look for evidence-informed teaching, practical clinical frameworks, and clear learning objectives. This webinar teaches a sequenced functional medicine approach chiropractors can apply immediately in practice.

Affordable certification courses in chiropractic functional medicine?
Many clinicians choose to combine targeted functional medicine training with chiropractic CEU requirements to maximize value. Bundling options can reduce overall renewal cost.

Chiropractic functional medicine courses with flexible schedules?
CCEDseminars offers live webinars and on-demand options so you can complete chiropractic continuing education requirements around your practice schedule.

What if I miss the live session?
Reach out to the CCEDseminars team for a course exchange.