San Jose, CA Chiropractic and Cervicogenic Headache

We see a lot of individuals with headaches in our San Jose, CA office, and Drs. Hung Lam & Loan Tran has been able to assist many of them. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 50 percent of all adults struggle with some manner of headache condition, so this actually isn’t unexpected. One of the most frequent types of headaches that our patients struggle with is cervicogenic headache which, luckily, chiropractic can often help.

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache is one that starts from problems in the cervical spine. It could be attributable to a problem with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be a result of a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This dysfunction in your spine produces compression or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can contribute to headache pain.

How can you distinguish if the headache you are feeling is a cervicogenic headache? Aside 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.

How Chiropractic Helps with Cervicogenic Headaches

Seeing that cervicogenic headaches will not subside until whatever problem is initiating them is remedied, it is vital to get treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an effective approach, and one that can provide a great deal of relief.

In one study circulated in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, researchers looked at 80 people who had recurring cervicogenic headaches. Half of them got chiropractic care and the other half underwent light massage therapy. Each participant was assessed 12 and 24 weeks after the procedures and it was found that chiropractic provided the best effects.

Specifically, this study revealed that chiropractic adjustments provided patients enhanced pain relief and diminished the number of headaches that occurred. Moreover, it also mitigated the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.

To find out what Drs. Hung Lam & Loan Tran 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/