Cervicogenic Headaches (neck related) and chiropractic
Cervicogenic headaches. What are they?
Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that caused by dysfunction in the neck or cervical spine.
Potential Causes;
They are often the result of poor posture, a traumatic injury, or degenerative changes in the spine.
Symptoms and Locations;
- A pain that starts in the neck and radiates to the head or face
- Pain that is triggered by neck movement or certain postures
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion in the neck
- Pain on the side of the face
Why and How do they Occur;
The relationship between neck factors and head pain is complex. Essentially what happens is mechanical information from the upper necks joints is created in the bone. ligament and muscle of the neck. That poor computer posture for example puts a large load on the muscles and joints. This information is sent to a structure called the Trigeminal Nucleus that is housed in our brain stem.
It receives this information and transfers it up into sensory parts of our brain for interpretation. It turns out that other structures around the head also send information to this nucleus. Our brain can misinterpret where the signal has come from and incorrectly attributes the pain to the head instead of the neck. Hence we get head pain (headache) from a neck cause (cervicogenic).
The actual pain location can often provide information about which neck joint is causing the referral of head pain.
Chiropractic care for Cervicogenic Headache;
Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for cervicogenic headaches(Evidence=based guidelines for chiropractic treatment of adult headache ). At Essendon Health and Sports Centre we use spinal manipulation and other techniques to improve joint mobility and reduce tension in the neck muscles as a way of reducing your suffering from headache. We may also recommend exercises and stretches to help improve posture and reduce the risk of future headaches.
If you think you may be experiencing cervicogenic headaches, please consult with us at Essendon Health and Sports Centre to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Greg, Jack and David - Your chiropractic team
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