Estero, Bonita Springs Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a lot of individuals with headaches in our Estero, Bonita Springs office, and Chiropractic Care & Rehab Center has been able to aid many of them. Of course, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one half of all adults have a problem with some type of headache disorder, so this really isn’t a surprise. One of the most common sorts of headaches that our patients are afflicted with is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic can usually help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that stems from problems in the cervical spine. It might be because of an issue 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 dysfunction in your spine brings about compression or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can result in headache pain.

How do you find out if the headache you are suffering from is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from being given a diagnosis from a healthcare expert, a typical symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is occasionally associated with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

How Chiropractic Helps with Cervicogenic Headaches

Because cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is triggering them is corrected, it is essential to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that offers a great deal of pain relief.

In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers evaluated 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. One-half received chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic offered the most beneficial effects.

Specifically, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments provided patients enhanced pain relief and lowered the frequency of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Chiropractic Care & Rehab Center can do for you and your headaches, call our office today. We'll do our best to get you the pain relief you deserve!

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/