We see a lot of individuals with headaches in our Parkland, FL office, and Dr. Neil Scharf has been able to assist many of them. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 50% of all adults struggle with some manner of headache problems, so this actually isn’t shocking. One of the most prevalent sorts of headaches which our patients experience is cervicogenic headache which, thankfully, chiropractic can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from an issue in the cervical spine. It might be generated by a problem with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be caused by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine leads to constriction or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can result in headache pain.

How can you recognize if the headache you are going through is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from being given a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a typical 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

Because cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is triggering them is corrected, 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 reported in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists evaluated 80 people who had regular cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent received chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was examined 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic provided the most beneficial effects.

Specifically, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments offered patients more pain relief and lessened the number of headaches that occurred. What's more, it also mitigated the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

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