Fairfax Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

Fairfax Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a lot of individuals with headaches in our Fairfax office, and Dr. Zapf has been able to help many of them. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 50 percent of all adults deal with some type of headache disorder, so this actually isn’t shocking. One of the most typical types of headaches that our patients have problems with is cervicogenic headache which, happily, chiropractic can often help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that starts from issues in the cervical spine. It can be attributable to a problem with either the spine itself (primarily, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be caused by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine can cause compression or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can generate headache pain.

How can you recognize if the headache you are experiencing is a cervicogenic headache? Other than receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a typical 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.

Headache Relief with Chiropractic

Since cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is inducing them is remedied, it is essential to receive treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that provides a considerable amount of relief.

In one study reported in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers evaluated 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent were given chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was examined 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was found that chiropractic offered the optimum outcomes.

In particular, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments offered patients better pain relief and lessened the frequency of headaches that occurred. Additionally, it also reduced the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Zapf can do for you and your headaches, 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/