We see a great number of people with headaches in our Portland office, and Dr. Helton has been able to assist many of them. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 50 percent of all adults have difficulty with some sort of headache problem, so this really isn't unexpected. One of the most common varieties of headaches that our patients experience is cervicogenic headache which, luckily for us, chiropractic therapy can commonly help.
A cervicogenic headache is one that comes from problems in the cervical spine. It can be because of a condition with either the spine itself (specifically, the vertebrae, joints, or discs), or it may be caused by a problem in the muscles and tendons of your neck. This problem in your spine contributes to squeezing or aggravation of the spinal nerves, which can contribute to headache pain.
How can you know if the headache you are suffering from is a cervicogenic headache? Besides getting a diagnosis from a healthcare expert, a common symptom of cervicogenic headaches is tenderness or pain in your neck. This is sometimes followed by pain in the back of your head or between your shoulder blades.
Because cervicogenic headaches will not go away until whatever problem is triggering them is corrected, it is crucial to receive treatment rather than just trying to "wait it out." Chiropractic care is an excellent solution, and one that provides a considerable amount of relief.
In one study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy, specialists followed 80 people who had recurrent cervicogenic headaches. One-half were given chiropractic care and the other fifty percent engaged in light massage therapy. Each participant was evaluated 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment and it was discovered that chiropractic delivered the most beneficial effects.
Specifically, this study revealed that chiropractic adjustments gave patients more pain relief and reduced the number of headaches that occurred. Moreover, it also lessened the disability that resulted from these painful headaches.
To find out what Dr. Helton 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
Dr. Helton, a Portland chiropractor, has been providing chiropractic health care and treatment for accident injuries for over 30 years. Dr. Helton specializes and is an expert in the evaluation and treatment of injuries from auto accidents. He has passed advanced certification training and testing by the Spine Research Institute of San Diego in the evaluation, treatment, and management of injuries from whiplash and brain traumatology.
