Sunnyvale, CA Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a great number of folks with headaches in our Sunnyvale, CA office, and Dr. Jamie Stern has been able to aid many of them. Actually, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one half of all adults have difficulties with some type of headache problems, so this certainly isn’t surprising. One of the most frequent varieties of headaches that our patients struggle with is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic can generally help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that stems from issues in the cervical spine. It can be caused by an issue with either the spine itself (primarily, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be a result of a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine results in compression or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring on headache pain.

How do you know if the headache you are being affected by is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from obtaining a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a frequent symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is occasionally combined with pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

How Chiropractic Helps with Cervicogenic Headaches

Since cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever issue is generating them is corrected, it is essential to get treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective solution, and one that provides a great deal of pain relief.

In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists followed 80 people who had repeated cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent got chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was examined 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was discovered that chiropractic provided the optimum outcomes.

In particular, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments provided patients better pain relief and lessened the frequency of headaches that occurred. Additionally, it also minimized the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Jamie Stern 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/