Mt Sterling Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a considerable number of people with headaches in our Mt Sterling office, and Dr. Tolson has been able to assist many of them. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 50 percent of all adults have a problem with some manner of headache disorder, so this actually isn’t a surprise. One of the most prevalent types of headaches which our patients struggle with is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic can usually help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from issues in the cervical spine. It might be attributable to a problem with either the spine itself (primarily, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be attributed to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine creates squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can result in headache pain.

How do you identify if the headache you are enduring is a cervicogenic headache? Besides receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a frequent 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.

Headache Relief with Chiropractic

Because cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is initiating them is remedied, it is vital to receive treatment rather than 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 reported in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers looked at 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent were given chiropractic care and the other half engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was discovered that chiropractic provided the most beneficial outcomes.

In particular, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments gave patients enhanced pain relief and lessened the number of headaches that occurred. On top of that, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Tolson can do for you and your headaches, call our office 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/