Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

Depew Chiropractic Care Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a considerable number of folks with headaches in our Depew office, and Dr. Palmer has been able to help many of them. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one half of all adults struggle with some type of headache problem, so this actually isn't a surprise. One of the most common varieties of headaches that our patients struggle with is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic adjustments can generally help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from an issue in the cervical spine. It can be generated by an issue with either the spine itself (primarily, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be attributable to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine can cause compaction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring on headache issues.

How can you identify if the headache you are feeling is a cervicogenic headache? Aside from receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a frequent symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is sometimes accompanied by 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 problem is generating them is corrected, it is critical to get treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that provides a great deal of pain relief.

In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers followed 80 people who had recurring cervicogenic headaches. Half of them received chiropractic care and the other fifty percent underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was found that chiropractic offered the optimum results.

In particular, this study found that chiropractic adjustments provided patients more significant pain relief and lowered the number of headaches that occurred. What's more, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Palmer 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/