Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a lot of people with headaches in our State College office, and Drs. Matt & Annie Reyes has been able to support many of them. Of course, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that half of all adults have a problem with some manner of headache disorder, so this actually isn't surprising. One of the most prevalent kinds of headaches that our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic care can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from problems in the cervical spine. It can be because of a problem with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be triggered by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine can cause compression or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring about headache problems.

How do you identify if the headache you are enduring is a cervicogenic headache? Aside from receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a common symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is sometimes followed by 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 initiating them is remedied, it is important to receive treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that offers a great deal of headache pain relief.

In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists looked at 80 people who had regular cervicogenic headaches. One-half got chiropractic care and the other 50% underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was found that chiropractic provided the most beneficial effects.

In particular, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments gave patients enhanced pain relief and diminished the number of headaches that occurred. Additionally, it also minimized the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Drs. Matt & Annie Reyes 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/