We see a lot of people with headaches in our Noblesville office, and Dr. Dahlager has been able to help many of them. Of course, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one half of all adults have a problem with some sort of headache disorder, so this really isn’t surprising. One of the most common types of headaches which our patients deal with is cervicogenic headache which, thankfully, chiropractic can often help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from a problem in the cervical spine. It can easily be attributable to a problem with either the spine itself (particularly, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be brought on by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine brings about compaction or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can bring on headache pain.

How can you find out if the headache you are experiencing is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from getting a diagnosis from a healthcare expert, a common 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

Since cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever issue is causing them is remedied, it is critical to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that can provide a great deal of headache pain relief.

In one study released in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers followed 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent received chiropractic care and the other half engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was found that chiropractic offered the optimum effects.

In particular, this study revealed that chiropractic adjustments gave patients better pain relief and decreased the frequency of headaches that occurred. Moreover, it also mitigated the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Dahlager can do for you and your headache pain, 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/