Parkland Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a large number of individuals with headaches in our Parkland office, and Dr. Scharf has been able to assist many of them. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50 percent of all adults deal with some manner of headache problems, so this actually isn’t unexpected. One of the most typical varieties of headaches which our patients suffer from is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic can generally help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from problems in the cervical spine. It could be because of an issue with either the spine itself (particularly, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be attributed to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine creates squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring about headache pain.

How do you know if the headache you are feeling is a cervicogenic headache? Aside from receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a frequent symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is sometimes combined with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

How Chiropractic Helps with Cervicogenic Headaches

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

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts followed 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Half of them got chiropractic care and the other fifty percent underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic delivered the optimum effects.

In particular, this study revealed that chiropractic adjustments gave patients more pain relief and reduced the frequency of headaches that occurred. Additionally, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Scharf 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/