Tumwater Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a large number of men and women with headaches in our Tumwater office, and Dr. Harrell has been able to aid many of them. Of course, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that one half of all adults have difficulties with some sort of headache problem, so this really isn’t a surprise. One of the most typical varieties of headaches that our patients have problems with is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic can often help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from issues in the cervical spine. It can easily be attributable to an issue with either the spine itself (particularly, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be attributable to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine can cause constriction or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can result in headache pain.

How do you tell if the headache you are struggling with is a cervicogenic headache? Besides receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a typical symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is occasionally accompanied by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

Chiropractic to the Rescue

Because cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is generating them is remedied, it is vital to receive treatment instead of just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective solution, and one that can provide a considerable amount of relief.

In one study released in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts studied 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent got chiropractic care and the other half engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was examined 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was discovered that chiropractic provided the best effects.

Specifically, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments gave patients more significant pain relief and reduced the frequency of headaches that occurred. Moreover, it also diminished the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

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