Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a great number of men and women with headaches in our Stacy office, and Dr. Ulvin has been able to aid many of them. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 50 percent of all adults have difficulties with some manner of headache condition, so this really isn't a surprise. One of the most common sorts of headaches that our patients experience is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic adjustments can commonly help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that stems from issues in the cervical spine. It might be caused by a problem with either the spine itself (in particular, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be attributable to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine contributes to squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache discomfort.

How do you tell if the headache you are being affected by is a cervicogenic headache? Other than being given a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a frequent symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is occasionally associated with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

How Chiropractic Helps

Seeing that cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever issue is causing them is remedied, it is important to receive treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that provides a considerable amount of pain relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers looked at 80 people who had recurring cervicogenic headaches. One-half got chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic provided the optimum outcomes.

Specifically, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments gave patients enhanced pain relief and lowered the frequency of headaches that occurred. Moreover, it also mitigated the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Ulvin can do for you and your headache pain, 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/