Depew Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a considerable number of folks with headaches in our Depew office, and Dr. Palmer has been able to provide relief for many of them. Actually, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 50 percent of all adults have a problem with some sort of headache problems, so this certainly isn’t unexpected. One of the most prevalent kinds of headaches which our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from issues in the cervical spine. It could be a result of an issue with either the spine itself (primarily, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be brought on by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine can cause constriction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache pain.

How do you distinguish if the headache you are being affected by is a cervicogenic headache? Aside from getting a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a typical 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.

Chiropractic to the Rescue

Since cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is initiating them is remedied, it is important to receive treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective approach, and one that offers a considerable amount of pain relief.

In one study reported in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts followed 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent received chiropractic care and the other half engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was found that chiropractic delivered the optimum results.

Specifically, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments offered patients greater pain relief and lowered the number of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Palmer 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/