Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a lot of people with headaches in our Parkland office, and Dr. Scharf has been able to support many of them. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50% of all adults have a problem with some type of headache condition, so this certainly isn't surprising. One of the most typical sorts of headaches which our patients struggle with is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic treatment can generally help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from issues in the cervical spine. It might be attributable to a problem with either the spine itself (in particular, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be a result of a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine leads to constriction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can result in headache issues.

How do you identify if the headache you are feeling is a cervicogenic headache? Besides getting a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a common symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is occasionally accompanied by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

Headache Relief with Chiropractic

Since cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is inducing them is remedied, it is critical to get treatment instead of just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that offers a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts followed 80 people who had regular cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent were given chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was found that chiropractic offered the best outcomes.

In particular, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments provided patients better pain relief and lowered the frequency of headaches that occurred. Furthermore, it also minimized the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

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