New York Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a great number of individuals with headaches in our New York office, and Dr. Valente has been able to provide relief for many of them. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 50% of all adults have a problem with some type of headache disorder, so this really isn’t shocking. One of the most common sorts of headaches that our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic can usually help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from issues in the cervical spine. It can easily be because of a problem with either the spine itself (primarily, 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 produces constriction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring about headache pain.

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

Headache Relief with Chiropractic

Considering cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is initiating them is remedied, it is crucial to receive treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective solution, and one that can provide a great deal of pain relief.

In one study reported in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists evaluated 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 outcomes.

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

To find out what Dr. Valente 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/