Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a considerable number of folks with headaches in our Estero, Bonita Springs office, and Dr. Green has been able to support many of them. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 50 percent of all adults have a problem with some manner of headache disorder, so this really isn't surprising. One of the most common kinds of headaches that our patients have problems with is cervicogenic headache which, thankfully, chiropractic adjustments can usually help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that stems from problems in the cervical spine. It might be attributable to an issue with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be brought on by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine leads to squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can generate headache discomfort.

How can you distinguish if the headache you are going through is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a common 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.

Chiropractic to the Rescue

Since cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever issue is initiating them is remedied, it is critical to receive treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective solution, and one that can provide a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists studied 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent got chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic delivered the most beneficial results.

Specifically, this study found that chiropractic adjustments provided patients enhanced pain relief and reduced the number of headaches that occurred. On top of that, it also minimized the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Green can do for you and your headache pain, call our office 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/