Juneau, AK Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a great number of individuals with headaches in our Juneau, AK office, and Dr. Messerschmidt has been able to help many of them. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 50 percent of all adults have difficulty with some kind of headache disorder, so this certainly isn’t a surprise. One of the most prevalent sorts of headaches that our patients have problems with is cervicogenic headache which, thankfully, chiropractic can usually help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that stems from issues in the cervical spine. It can be a result of a condition with either the spine itself (particularly, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be triggered by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine leads to compaction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring on headache pain.

How do you identify if the headache you are suffering from is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from obtaining a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, 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

Because cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is triggering them is corrected, it is vital to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that can provide a considerable amount of headache pain relief.

In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers studied 80 people who had frequent cervicogenic headaches. Half of them received chiropractic care and the other half engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic delivered the most beneficial results.

Specifically, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments gave patients better pain relief and decreased the number of headaches that occurred. Additionally, it also reduced the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Messerschmidt can do for you and your headaches, call our office 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/