Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

Depew Chiropractic Therapy Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a great number of men and women with headaches in our Depew office, and Dr. Palmer has been able to provide relief for many of them. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50% of all adults have difficulties with some sort of headache condition, so this certainly isn't unexpected. One of the most prevalent varieties of headaches which our patients experience is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic adjustments can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that starts from an issue in the cervical spine. It can easily be a result of a problem with either the spine itself (primarily, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be triggered by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine leads to squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can generate headache discomfort.

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

Headache Relief with Chiropractic

Because cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is triggering them is corrected, it is vital to receive treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective solution, and one that can provide a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers evaluated 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent got chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic delivered the best outcomes.

Specifically, this study found that chiropractic adjustments offered patients more significant pain relief and diminished the frequency of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also mitigated 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 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/