Anchorage Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a considerable number of individuals with headaches in our Anchorage office, and Dr. Mulholland has been able to support many of them. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that half of all adults struggle with some manner of headache condition, so this certainly isn’t shocking. One of the most typical kinds of headaches which our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, luckily, chiropractic can generally help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from a problem in the cervical spine. It can be a result of a condition with either the spine itself (primarily, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be brought on by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine results in constriction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can result in headache pain.

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

How Chiropractic Helps

Because cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is inducing them is corrected, it is vital to receive treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that offers a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts evaluated 80 people who had regular cervicogenic headaches. Half received chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was found that chiropractic provided the best outcomes.

Specifically, this study found that chiropractic adjustments gave patients enhanced pain relief and reduced the frequency of headaches that occurred. Additionally, it also minimized the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Mulholland can do for you and your headaches, 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/