Denton, TX Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a large number of people with headaches in our Denton, TX office, and Dr. Eustice has been able to support many of them. For that matter, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50% of all adults deal with some sort of headache disorder, so this actually isn’t a surprise. One of the most common kinds of headaches that our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, luckily, chiropractic can usually help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

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

How can you find out if the headache you are enduring is a cervicogenic headache? Other than being given a diagnosis from a healthcare expert, a common symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is occasionally associated with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

How Chiropractic Helps

Seeing that cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is initiating them is remedied, it is vital to receive treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that offers a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers studied 80 people who had frequent cervicogenic headaches. Half got chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic delivered the most beneficial effects.

In particular, this study revealed that chiropractic adjustments gave patients more significant pain relief and lowered the frequency of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also diminished the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Eustice 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/