Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a great number of people with headaches in our Memphis office, and Dynamic Chiropractic has been able to provide relief for many of them. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one half of all adults struggle with some type of headache disorder, so this actually isn't shocking. One of the most typical sorts of headaches which our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, happily, chiropractic care can often help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from an issue in the cervical spine. It can easily be as a result of a condition with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be triggered by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine produces compaction or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can bring on headache pain.

How do you identify if the headache you are suffering from is a cervicogenic headache? Other than receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a typical symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is occasionally associated with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

How Chiropractic Helps with Cervicogenic Headaches

Seeing that cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever issue is generating them is remedied, it is essential to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective approach, and one that provides a great deal of relief.

In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers followed 80 people who had frequent cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent received chiropractic care and the other 50% underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic provided the optimum effects.

In particular, this study found that chiropractic adjustments gave patients greater pain relief and reduced the number of headaches that occurred. Moreover, it also mitigated the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dynamic Chiropractic can do for you and your headaches, call us today. We'll do our best to get you the pain relief you deserve!

References

• Haas M, Schneider M, Vavrek D. Illustrating risk difference and number needed to treat from a randomized controlled trial of spinal manipulation for cervicogenic headache. Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2010 18(9).
• World Health Organization. (2012, October). Headache disorders. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs277/en/