Napa, CA Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a large number of people with headaches in our Napa, CA office, and Dr. Roxann Bettencourt, DC has been able to aid many of them. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50% of all adults deal with some type of headache problems, so this really isn’t a surprise. One of the most typical types of headaches which our patients experience is cervicogenic headache which, luckily, chiropractic can generally help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that starts from an issue in the cervical spine. It can be because of a problem with either the spine itself (particularly, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it can be caused by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine contributes to constriction or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can give you headache pain.

How do you identify if the headache you are experiencing is a cervicogenic headache? Aside from receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a frequent 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.

How Chiropractic Helps

Because cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is causing them is remedied, it is important to receive treatment as opposed to just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that provides a considerable amount of relief.

In one study printed in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, experts evaluated 80 people who had regular cervicogenic headaches. One-half were given chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was discovered that chiropractic delivered the most beneficial effects.

Specifically, this study noted that chiropractic adjustments provided patients better pain relief and diminished the number of headaches that occurred. On top of that, it also minimized the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Dr. Roxann Bettencourt, DC can do for you and your headaches, call our office 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/