Lincoln Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a large number of folks with headaches in our Lincoln office, and Dr. Jerrad Swanson DC, FMT, DN1 has been able to support many of them. For that matter, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that one half of all adults struggle with some manner of headache problem, so this certainly isn’t a surprise. One of the most typical varieties of headaches that our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that originates from issues in the cervical spine. It might be a result of an issue with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be attributed to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine leads to compression or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can result in headache pain.

How can you know if the headache you are struggling with is a cervicogenic headache? Other than obtaining a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a typical symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is sometimes combined with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

Chiropractic to the Rescue

Considering cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever issue is generating them is corrected, it is vital to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective solution, and one that offers a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers studied 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. One-half got 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 delivered the best effects.

In particular, this study found that chiropractic adjustments provided patients more significant pain relief and lessened the frequency of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also diminished the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Jerrad Swanson DC, FMT, DN1 can do for you and your headaches, call us 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/