Waldorf, MD Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a great number of men and women with headaches in our Waldorf, MD office, and Waldorf Total Health Chiropractic & Physical Therapy has been able to help many of them. For that matter, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50 percent of all adults deal with some type of headache problems, so this certainly isn’t a surprise. One of the most prevalent kinds of headaches which our patients experience is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic can generally help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that arises from issues in the cervical spine. It can be generated by a condition with either the spine itself (particularly, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it could be because of a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine leads to constriction or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can bring on headache pain.

How do you recognize if the headache you are being affected by is a cervicogenic headache? Aside from getting a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a common symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is sometimes combined 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 vital to get treatment instead of just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that provides a great deal of relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers studied 80 people who had frequent cervicogenic headaches. One-half were given chiropractic care and the other fifty percent engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was discovered that chiropractic delivered the most beneficial outcomes.

In particular, this study found that chiropractic adjustments provided patients enhanced pain relief and reduced the number of headaches that occurred. Additionally, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Waldorf Total Health Chiropractic & Physical Therapy can do for you and your headaches, 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/