Rockville Chiropractic Effective for Cervicogenic Headache

We see a large number of men and women with headaches in our Rockville office, and Dr. Aazami has been able to assist many of them. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that one half of all adults have difficulties with some kind of headache condition, so this certainly isn’t unexpected. One of the most typical sorts of headaches that our patients deal with is cervicogenic headache which, thankfully, chiropractic can generally help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Explained

A cervicogenic headache is one that originates from a problem in the cervical spine. It could be due to a problem with either the spine itself (in particular, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be due to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine results in constriction or irritation of the spinal nerves, which can contribute to headache pain.

How can you recognize if the headache you are enduring is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from getting a diagnosis from a healthcare professional, a typical symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is sometimes accompanied by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

Chiropractic to the Rescue

Since cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is initiating them is corrected, it is essential to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that provides a great deal of headache pain relief.

In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers studied 80 people who had frequent cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent received chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic delivered the most beneficial outcomes.

Specifically, this study found that chiropractic adjustments gave patients more significant pain relief and lowered the frequency of headaches that occurred. In addition, it also reduced the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Aazami 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/