Springfield, MA Chiropractic Beats Massage for Cervicogenic Headaches

We see a lot of folks with headaches in our Springfield, MA office, and Dr. Michael Delson has been able to help many of them. Of course, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50% of all adults have difficulties with some kind of headache problem, so this actually isn’t shocking. One of the most frequent sorts of headaches that our patients are afflicted by is cervicogenic headache which, luckily, chiropractic can usually help.

Cervicogenic Headaches Defined

A cervicogenic headache is one that starts from problems in the cervical spine. It can easily be generated by a problem with either the spine itself (in particular, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it might be due to a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine results in squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can bring on headache pain.

How can you determine if the headache you are struggling with is a cervicogenic headache? Apart from receiving a diagnosis from a healthcare specialist, a frequent symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or discomfort in your neck. This is sometimes followed by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.

Chiropractic to the Rescue

Considering cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is triggering them is remedied, it is essential to receive treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent approach, and one that offers a considerable amount of pain relief.

In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists evaluated 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. Fifty percent received chiropractic care and the other 50% engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic provided the most beneficial effects.

In particular, this study revealed that chiropractic adjustments offered patients more 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. Michael Delson 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/