Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a lot of people with headaches in our Anchorage office, and Mulholland Chiropractic Center, LLC has been able to provide relief for many of them. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one half of all adults deal with some kind of headache problem, so this actually isn't a surprise. One of the most typical sorts of headaches which our patients suffer from is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic therapy can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from problems in the cervical spine. It could be caused by a problem with either the spine itself (primarily, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be attributable to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine brings about squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can generate headache issues.

How can you recognize if the headache you are being affected by is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from obtaining a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a frequent symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is sometimes combined with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

How Chiropractic Helps

Since cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever issue is causing them is remedied, it is important to receive treatment instead of just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that provides a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts evaluated 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent got chiropractic care and the other half engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was discovered that chiropractic provided the optimum effects.

In particular, this study revealed that chiropractic adjustments provided patients greater pain relief and reduced the frequency of headaches that occurred. In addition to that, it also reduced the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Mulholland Chiropractic Center, LLC 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/