Gadsden, AL Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a lot of men and women with headaches in our Gadsden, AL office, and Gadsden Family Chiropractic has been able to support many of them. Actually, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one half of all adults struggle with some sort of headache problems, so this really isn’t surprising. One of the most common varieties of headaches that our patients deal with is cervicogenic headache which, happily, chiropractic can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that starts from issues in the cervical spine. It might be generated by 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 problem in your spine leads to compaction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can generate headache pain.

How can you distinguish if the headache you are being affected by is a cervicogenic headache? Other than receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a common symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is sometimes 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 initiating them is remedied, it is essential to get treatment instead of 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 circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts looked at 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. Half of them received chiropractic care and the other half underwent 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 found that chiropractic adjustments offered patients better pain relief and decreased the frequency of headaches that occurred. What's more, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Gadsden Family Chiropractic can do for you and your headache pain, 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/