The Cervicogenic Headache
Well over half the world will experience at least one headache every year. For a typical headache-sufferer, they could experience a headache every single day. Headaches have multiple causes such as stress or dehydration, and things like sensitivity to light or chronically tight muscles. The majority of headaches are “tension-type” headaches.
What is a tension-type headache? They have a particular manifestation. These headaches cause pain and tension at the base of the head where it meets the neck. The tension can travel over the top of the head or through the sides of the head. The pressure and pain can eventually go into the forehead or behind the eyes. Patients describe the pain as a “vice grip” or “pressure all over”. Patients often complain of pain at the back of the head.
These headaches also have another name that is well-known to chiropractors: the cervicogenic headache. That means a headache originating (genic) in the neck (cervico-). Dysfunction of the vertebra in the neck irritates the nerves and muscles, causing tension through the neck muscles and putting pressure on the whole head. Of course, chiropractors get great results fixing the root cause of these types of headaches, but patients can also do some other things to manage the pain in the meantime.
What do I do about my cervicogenic headaches?
There are many things someone can do to help their headache. Since one issue is tight muscles, applying ice to the neck can reduce inflammation in the muscles and nerves. This may not fix the underlying problem with the joint in the neck, but by calming down the muscles it takes more pressure off the nerves that cause headaches.
Pressure points can also be useful for treating headaches. There are three locations that work best. The first is the top of the shoulders near the base of the neck. This treats a trigger point within the trapezius muscle. The second is right at the base of the skull where it connects to the neck. On either side of the spine, about one thumb-width from the midline, there will be a tender spot that responds well to holding pressure. The last point is on the underridge of the eyebrow on the inner corner by the nose. This especially helps if someone struggles with eye pain or sinus pressure with their headaches.
However, the best way to get cervicogenic headaches to resolve is to treat the underlying problem: the vertebra itself. Often the vertebra gets stuck and fixated in one spot due to our postures, stress, sleeping positions, back trauma, and more. When the vertebra gets stuck the body compensates with tight neck muscles, tight shoulders, and eventually headaches. Chiropractors treat cervicogenic headaches every day with great results. If you deal with regular headaches, it is worth having a free consultation with a chiropractor to see how they can help. Millions of people have had their headaches cured or improved by chiropractic care. See if you can feel better, too!
