Depew / Lancaster Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a great number of people with headaches in our Depew / Lancaster office, and Dr. William Palmer has been able to assist many of them. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one half of all adults have difficulties with some kind of headache problems, so this certainly isn’t surprising. One of the most common varieties of headaches which our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, thankfully, chiropractic can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that originates from an issue in the cervical spine. It can be generated by a problem with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be triggered by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine results in constriction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring on headache pain.

How can you identify if the headache you are going through is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from being given a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a common 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

Considering cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever issue is inducing them is remedied, it is crucial to get treatment as opposed to 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 printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists evaluated 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Half of them got chiropractic care and the other 50% underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was discovered that chiropractic offered the most beneficial results.

Specifically, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments offered patients more significant pain relief and reduced the frequency of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also reduced the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. William Palmer can do for you and your headache pain, 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/