Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a large number of men and women with headaches in our Massillon office, and Dr. Haycock has been able to help many of them. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 50 percent of all adults have difficulty with some type of headache disorder, so this really isn't a surprise. One of the most prevalent kinds of headaches which our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, luckily, chiropractic treatment can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from an issue in the cervical spine. It can easily be caused by an issue with either the spine itself (primarily, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it could be brought on by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine results in constriction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache issues.

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

Chiropractic to the Rescue

Seeing that cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever issue is triggering them is remedied, it is critical to receive treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that provides a great deal of pain relief.

In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists studied 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. Half received chiropractic care and the other 50% underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was examined 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic offered the optimum effects.

Specifically, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments offered patients greater pain relief and decreased the number of headaches that occurred. Furthermore, it also diminished the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

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