Headache pain can be experienced in any region of the head. It can be isolated to a specific area, one side or both sides of the head, be felt as a squeezing pressure, or radiate from one point to another area of the head. The discomfort may be described as a dull ache, throbbing, or sharp pain. The condition can come on abruptly or slowly and the pain may last for less than an hour or continue for up to a week. In any form, headaches are frustrating, can be debilitating and they are sometimes accompanied by neck pain.
Headaches that stem from neck or shoulder pain and are concentrated in the temples, orbital region, or forehead are called cervicogenic. They are commonly caused by muscle spasms, whiplash, arthritis, degenerative disk disease, or another medical problem. The issue typically occurs in the top three vertebrae of the cervical spine. Resulting pain is experienced in the head, classifying the headache as a type of referred pain.
Children and adults alike can develop a cervicogenic headache. The condition can be difficult to diagnose because many patients experience migraines and tension headaches simultaneously. As a result, a doctor can easily misdiagnose the headache. To make a diagnosis a history, physical examination, X-ray, and an MRI or CT must be taken. One sign of note of this condition is that various neck motions or keeping the neck in the same position for a prolonged period typically make the head and neck pain worse.
Several treatment options are available for cervicogenic headaches. Since patients respond differently to each type of treatment, they must work closely with their healthcare specialist to discover the most effective approach and avoid side effects. Injecting pain killing drugs at so called "trigger points" in the muscles surrounding the upper portion of the cervical spine is one form treatment that may provide temporary relief.
Doctors use oral types of medication to treat headaches which include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-seizure drugs, and low doses of antidepressants. Over the counter lotions that contain relaxing agents such as Biofreeze may relieve muscle pain experienced in the neck. Massage therapy is sometimes utilized as a palliative treatment so the headache is treated conservatively.
Chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine can relieve nerves and joints that have become irritated and are causing these headaches. In trials involving patients with a headache plus neck dysfunction, neck pain, or both, manipulation of the cervical spine was associated with a significant improvement in health outcomes. Researchers at Duke University report that by releasing tight, short muscles, this adjustment permits optimum blood flow, reducing headache pain.
In the February 2010 issue of The Spine Journal, researchers published a study where patients with chronic cervicogenic headaches received either a light massage or chiropractic care. Those who received chiropractic treatment noted much greater improvement than the group receiving the light massage. A May 2009 Consumer Reports article revealed that chiropractic was rated top among all healthcare providers in terms of patient satisfaction by the more than 14,000 consumers surveyed.
Headaches that stem from neck or shoulder pain and are concentrated in the temples, orbital region, or forehead are called cervicogenic. They are commonly caused by muscle spasms, whiplash, arthritis, degenerative disk disease, or another medical problem. The issue typically occurs in the top three vertebrae of the cervical spine. Resulting pain is experienced in the head, classifying the headache as a type of referred pain.
Children and adults alike can develop a cervicogenic headache. The condition can be difficult to diagnose because many patients experience migraines and tension headaches simultaneously. As a result, a doctor can easily misdiagnose the headache. To make a diagnosis a history, physical examination, X-ray, and an MRI or CT must be taken. One sign of note of this condition is that various neck motions or keeping the neck in the same position for a prolonged period typically make the head and neck pain worse.
Several treatment options are available for cervicogenic headaches. Since patients respond differently to each type of treatment, they must work closely with their healthcare specialist to discover the most effective approach and avoid side effects. Injecting pain killing drugs at so called "trigger points" in the muscles surrounding the upper portion of the cervical spine is one form treatment that may provide temporary relief.
Doctors use oral types of medication to treat headaches which include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-seizure drugs, and low doses of antidepressants. Over the counter lotions that contain relaxing agents such as Biofreeze may relieve muscle pain experienced in the neck. Massage therapy is sometimes utilized as a palliative treatment so the headache is treated conservatively.
Chiropractic adjustments to the cervical spine can relieve nerves and joints that have become irritated and are causing these headaches. In trials involving patients with a headache plus neck dysfunction, neck pain, or both, manipulation of the cervical spine was associated with a significant improvement in health outcomes. Researchers at Duke University report that by releasing tight, short muscles, this adjustment permits optimum blood flow, reducing headache pain.
In the February 2010 issue of The Spine Journal, researchers published a study where patients with chronic cervicogenic headaches received either a light massage or chiropractic care. Those who received chiropractic treatment noted much greater improvement than the group receiving the light massage. A May 2009 Consumer Reports article revealed that chiropractic was rated top among all healthcare providers in terms of patient satisfaction by the more than 14,000 consumers surveyed.
About the Author:
Elsie Betty Stoffel is an author writing about healthy living. Would you like to know more about a Pittsburgh North chiropractor? More information regarding headaches can be found at this website http://youtu.be/wFj4tmCyKiI.
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