Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a great number of folks with headaches in our Nashville office, and Sweeney Chiropractic has been able to aid many of them. Actually, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 50 percent of all adults have a problem with some type of headache problems, so this certainly isn't shocking. One of the most prevalent varieties of headaches that our patients suffer from is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic adjustments can often help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that starts from a problem in the cervical spine. It can easily be due to a problem with either the spine itself (in particular, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be attributable to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine creates constriction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring about headache issues.

How do you know if the headache you are suffering from is a cervicogenic headache? Besides obtaining a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, 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.

How Chiropractic Helps with Cervicogenic Headaches

Seeing that cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is triggering them is corrected, it is critical to receive treatment instead of just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that provides a great deal of relief.

In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists studied 80 people who had regular cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent got chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic delivered the best effects.

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

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