Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a lot of folks with headaches in our Fleming Island office, and Select Health and Wellness has been able to help many of them. Actually, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that half of all adults deal with some sort of headache condition, so this actually isn’t a surprise. One of the most common sorts of headaches which our patients deal with is cervicogenic headache which, thankfully, chiropractic can generally help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that starts from a problem in the cervical spine. It can be because of a condition with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be brought on by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine can cause constriction or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache pain.

How can you recognize if the headache you are struggling with is a cervicogenic headache? Aside from receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a typical symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is occasionally followed by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

How Chiropractic Helps

Because cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever issue is inducing them is remedied, it is vital to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that can provide a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

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

Specifically, this study found that chiropractic adjustments gave patients better pain relief and lessened the frequency of headaches that occurred. What's more, it also reduced the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Select Health and Wellness can do for you and your headaches, call our office today. We'll do our best to get you the pain relief you need!

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/