Hernando, Horn Lake & Olive Branch, MS Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a great number of men and women with headaches in our Hernando, Horn Lake & Olive Branch, MS office, and Our Chiropractic Team has been able to support many of them. Actually, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one half of all adults have a problem with some manner of headache problems, so this certainly isn’t surprising. One of the most common varieties of headaches that our patients suffer from is cervicogenic headache which, thankfully, chiropractic can generally help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from problems in the cervical spine. It could be generated by a problem with either the spine itself (in particular, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be caused by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine brings about squeezing or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache pain.

How can you recognize if the headache you are suffering from is a cervicogenic headache? Aside from receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a typical symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is occasionally accompanied by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

Chiropractic to the Rescue

Seeing that cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever issue is causing them is corrected, it is essential to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that can provide a considerable amount of relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts evaluated 80 people who had frequent cervicogenic headaches. One-half received chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic provided the most beneficial effects.

Specifically, this study found that chiropractic adjustments provided patients better pain relief and lowered the frequency of headaches that occurred. Additionally, it also diminished the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Our Chiropractic Team 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/