Tumwater Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a great number of individuals with headaches in our Tumwater office, and Dr. Harrell has been able to help many of them. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that half of all adults have a problem with some type of headache disorder, so this actually isn’t unexpected. One of the most prevalent varieties of headaches that our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, luckily, chiropractic can generally help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from issues in the cervical spine. It can easily be as a result of a problem with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be due to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine brings about squeezing or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can generate headache pain.

How do you identify if the headache you are going through is a cervicogenic headache? Other than receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a common symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is sometimes accompanied by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

Headache Relief with Chiropractic

Because cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever issue is initiating them is corrected, it is essential to get treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that provides a great deal of headache pain relief.

In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts studied 80 people who had frequent cervicogenic headaches. Half got chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic offered the best effects.

In particular, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments offered patients more pain relief and lowered the frequency of headaches that occurred. Moreover, it also lessened 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/