Juneau, AK Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a large number of people with headaches in our Juneau, AK office, and Dr. Messerschmidt has been able to assist many of them. Of course, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that one half of all adults have a problem with some manner of headache problem, so this actually isn’t shocking. One of the most prevalent kinds of headaches which our patients suffer from is cervicogenic headache which, fortunately, chiropractic can usually help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from an issue in the cervical spine. It could be as a result of a problem with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be caused by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine brings about compression or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can bring about headache pain.

How do you recognize if the headache you are experiencing is a cervicogenic headache? Besides receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a frequent symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is sometimes combined 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 issue is triggering them is corrected, it is essential to receive treatment instead of just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that can provide a great deal of headache pain relief.

In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists studied 80 people who had regular cervicogenic headaches. One-half got 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 found that chiropractic offered the most beneficial effects.

Specifically, this study uncovered that chiropractic adjustments offered patients greater pain relief and diminished the frequency of headaches that occurred. On top of that, 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 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/