Cervicogenic Headache
The term cervicogenic headache means “headache originating from the neck”. This headache is surprisingly common, and the neck is one of the most overlooked areas as a causative factor in headaches.
In the lower neck, these nerves exit the spinal joints and supply the sensation and muscle strength to the arms. Often when one of these nerves is irritated or pinched, the individual experiences pain and tingling in the arm. These same spinal nerves from the upper three spinal levels of the neck go over the skull and provide most of the sensation to the back and sides of the head, and indirectly, also to the forehead. These nerves can be irritated by the same joint and muscle problems that, in the lower neck, cause pain and tingling in the arms. When the upper nerves are irritated, headache is the result.
The most appropriate treatment for this type of headache is chiropractic manipulation. A large study of 100 patients with cervicogenic headache examined the effect of spinal manipulation. Within three weeks of treatment, 75% had a good reduction in the headaches. When questioned after one year, 25% had been permanently cured, and 65% had maintained a good improvement in the number and severity of the headaches. These were exceptional results when it is considered that most of these patients had had years of other unsuccessful medical treatments.
The more that is learned about headache, the more apparent two facts become. The first is that many headaches are caused by nerve irritation in the upper neck, and the second is that chiropractic manipulation is the best treatment for this common problem.
While headache is one of the most common disorders from which people suffer, a greater number of them are being found to be caused by disorders of the neck and upper spine.