Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a lot of folks with headaches in our Parkland office, and Dr. Scharf has been able to help many of them. For that matter, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that half of all adults deal with some kind of headache problems, so this actually isn't shocking. One of the most typical kinds of headaches that our patients experience is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic adjustments can generally help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from a problem in the cervical spine. It can easily be thanks to a problem with either the spine itself (particularly, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be attributed to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine can cause squeezing or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can generate headache issues.

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

How Chiropractic Helps

Considering cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is causing them is corrected, it is vital to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that provides a considerable amount of pain relief.

In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts looked at 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent got chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was examined 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was found that chiropractic offered the most beneficial effects.

Specifically, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments offered patients greater pain relief and reduced the number of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also lessened 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 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/