Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

Lincoln Chiropractic Care Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a considerable number of individuals with headaches in our Lincoln office, and Dr. Jerrad Swanson DC, FMT, DN1 has been able to help many of them. Of course, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 50% of all adults struggle with some sort of headache disorder, so this actually isn't shocking. One of the most common varieties of headaches which our patients suffer from is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic treatment can often help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from issues in the cervical spine. It might be generated by a condition with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be caused by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine can cause squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring on headache pain.

How do you determine if the headache you are suffering from is a cervicogenic headache? Other than getting a diagnosis from a healthcare expert, a frequent symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is occasionally coupled with 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 problem is generating them is remedied, it is important to get 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 relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists studied 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Half of them got chiropractic care and the other 50% underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was examined 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic delivered the optimum outcomes.

In particular, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments provided patients more pain relief and reduced the number of headaches that occurred. Additionally, 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 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/