Can Chiropractic Care Help Those with Cervicogenic Headaches?

Headaches are one of the most common sources of pain for humans in the world, perhaps THE most common source of pain for humans, considering 90% of humans in the world will be affected by a headache at some point. Every year, about 66% of men and 57% of women suffer from a headache.

This study looked specifically at cervicogenic headaches, which are headaches that originate from the neck. This means the pain generally starts in the neck and then moves up into the head from there, and the cause is typically a decreased range of motion in the top two vertebrae of the neck (C1 and C2). This is one of the top three most common types of headaches.

Symptoms of cervicogenic headaches include pain that starts in the neck and moves up into the head, generally a moderate level of pain, may also experience dizziness, sound sensitivity, having one eye blurry, possibly even swallowing issues, and other potential symptoms. It is important to remember that with any symptom list, someone may experience some, many, none, or all of the symptoms listed, ultimately all diagnoses come down to clinical decision making by the practitioner.

One test that helps to differentiate this type of headache from other types is one where the practitioner flexes someone's neck to a certain point and then moves it to see how much movement there is in those top two vertebrae of their neck. A decreased amount of movement, plus headaches with the above-mentioned symptoms, mean the cause is usually cervicogenic in nature.

Interestingly enough, movement at the top of the neck, the top two vertebrae is NOT generally impacted by someone's age, arthritis, or even lifestyle factors like sleep. So, if someone has a decrease of motion at those levels, it is not really caused by those factors, which CAN be factors elsewhere in the spine!

Cervicogenic headaches have been treated through various medications and therapies, including looking at posture and ergonomics. Evidence suggests that chiropractic care (spinal manipulative therapy) and exercise may be helpful.

This study looked at not only chiropractic adjustments, but also instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization WITH the chiropractic adjustments. Dr. Adams does not quite do this technique, but she does do soft tissue work on every patients, so she had particular interest in this study.

They had 64 participants, okay size, but with studies more participants is usually better. They looked at various outcome measurements including pain intensity, frequency, and the level of disability caused by the pain. These measurements were taken at baseline, after 4 weeks of the study, and then again after 6 months.

The 64 participants were split up into two groups. One group received chiropactic adjustments only, the other group received both chiropractic adjustments plus the instrument assisted soft tissue work. Everyone also received treatment 4 times a week for 4 weeks. Everyone received 10 minutes of heat therapy at the start of their treatment, and all participants had home exercises to do, 3 times a day.

Amazingly enough, BOTH groups had statistically significant improvement in their symptoms - pain, intensity, and disability! The chiropractic adjustment plus instrument assisted soft issue work group did a little better than the chiropractic adjustment only. These improvements were seen both at the 4 week point, as well as at the 6 month point.

This study helps to provide clinicians with evidence that chiropractic adjustments alone or even better with instrument assisted soft tissue work, can be another evidence-based treatment option for those suffering from cervicogenic headaches. Combining these methods with the heat therapy as well as the neck isometric exercises 3 times a day, may have life-changing results for this particular group of people.

We're here to help if we can, give us a call - 4349221900

Sources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11544115/

Blog sponsored by One More Step Foundation

This is not medical advice, always ask a chiropractor if chiropractic care is appropriate for you, and your preferred healthcare provider before making dietary, supplement, or lifestyle changes.