We see a large number of folks with headaches in our Brandon, FL office, and Dr. Richard J. Robinson has been able to provide relief for many of them. Of course, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one half of all adults have difficulty with some kind of headache disorder, so this really isn’t a surprise. One of the most frequent types of headaches which our patients are afflicted with is cervicogenic headache which, luckily, chiropractic can generally help.
Cervicogenic Headaches Explained
A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from problems in the cervical spine. It could be generated by a problem with either the spine itself (in particular, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be brought on by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine can cause compaction or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache pain.
How can you know if the headache you are being affected by 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 associated with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.
How Chiropractic Helps with Cervicogenic Headaches
Since cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is triggering them is remedied, it is important to receive 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 pain relief.
In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists studied 80 people who had recurring cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent got chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic offered the optimum effects.
In particular, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments provided patients better pain relief and lessened the number of headaches that occurred. What’s more, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.
To find out what Dr. Richard J. Robinson 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/