Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a great number of individuals with headaches in our Las Vegas office, and Dr. Forsyth has been able to help many of them. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that half of all adults deal with some kind of headache disorder, so this certainly isn't a surprise. One of the most prevalent kinds of headaches that our patients experience is cervicogenic headache which, thankfully, chiropractic therapy can commonly help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from an issue in the cervical spine. It can easily be attributable to a condition with either the spine itself (in particular, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be due to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine results in squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can result in headache pain.

How do you recognize if the headache you are feeling is a cervicogenic headache? Aside from obtaining a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a frequent symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain 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 issue is triggering them is remedied, it is essential to get treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective approach, and one that provides a great deal of headache pain relief.

In one study reported in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts looked at 80 people who had regular cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent 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 found that chiropractic offered the most beneficial outcomes.

Specifically, this study revealed that chiropractic adjustments offered patients better pain relief and lessened the number of headaches that occurred. Moreover, it also reduced the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Forsyth can do for you and your headaches, 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/