Jacksonville, FL Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a great number of people with headaches in our Jacksonville, FL office, and Dr. Chanatry has been able to support many of them. Of course, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50 percent of all adults struggle with some type of headache problems, so this certainly isn’t surprising. One of the most prevalent types of headaches which our patients experience is cervicogenic headache which, happily, chiropractic can commonly help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from problems in the cervical spine. It could be a result of a condition with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be brought on by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine produces constriction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can generate headache pain.

How do you find out 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 discomfort in your neck. This is occasionally accompanied by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

Headache Relief with Chiropractic

Considering cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever issue is causing them is corrected, it is essential to receive treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective approach, and one that provides a considerable amount of pain relief.

In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts studied 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent received chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic provided the optimum results.

In particular, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments provided patients greater pain relief and diminished the number of headaches that occurred. Moreover, it also diminished the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Chanatry can do for you and your headaches, 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/