Asheville Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

Asheville Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a lot of people with headaches in our Asheville office, and Dr. Myers has been able to support many of them. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 50 percent of all adults struggle with some kind of headache disorder, so this certainly isn’t surprising. One of the most typical types of headaches that our patients are afflicted with is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic can usually help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from issues in the cervical spine. It can easily 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 can cause squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache pain.

How can you determine if the headache you are suffering from is a cervicogenic headache? Other than being given a diagnosis from a healthcare expert, a typical symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is sometimes coupled with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

How Chiropractic Helps

Because cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever issue is initiating them is remedied, it is crucial to receive treatment instead of just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that offers a great deal of relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists followed 80 people who had frequent cervicogenic headaches. One-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 provided the most beneficial results.

Specifically, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments gave patients more pain relief and lessened the number of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Myers 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/