Loveland Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a considerable number of people with headaches in our Loveland office, and Kauffman Chiropractic has been able to provide relief for many of them. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 50 percent of all adults struggle with some kind of headache disorder, so this really isn’t shocking. One of the most common varieties of headaches which our patients deal with is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic can often help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from an issue in the cervical spine. It might be because of an issue with either the spine itself (in particular, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be because of a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine produces compression or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache pain.

How can you find out if the headache you are experiencing is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from getting a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a common 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.

How Chiropractic Helps

Considering cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever issue is causing them is corrected, it is essential to receive treatment instead of just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that provides a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

In one study reported in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts looked at 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent received chiropractic care and the other 50% underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was discovered that chiropractic provided the optimum effects.

In particular, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments gave patients more significant pain relief and lowered the number of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also diminished the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Kauffman Chiropractic can do for you and your headaches, call our office 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/