Salem, OR Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a considerable number of folks with headaches in our Salem, OR office, and Dr. Julia Robertson has been able to provide relief for many of them. For that matter, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that one half of all adults have difficulties with some type of headache problems, so this actually isn’t unexpected. One of the most prevalent varieties of headaches which our patients suffer from is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic can commonly help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from a problem in the cervical spine. It might be attributable to an issue with either the spine itself (particularly, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be due to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine leads to compression or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache pain.

How do you tell if the headache you are suffering from is a cervicogenic headache? Besides obtaining a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a common symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is occasionally accompanied by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

Chiropractic to the Rescue

Considering cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is initiating them is remedied, it is critical to receive treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective solution, and one that provides a great deal of headache pain relief.

In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers studied 80 people who had recurring cervicogenic headaches. One-half received chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic offered the best results.

In particular, this study revealed that chiropractic adjustments provided patients greater 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. Julia Robertson can do for you and your headache pain, call us 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/