Headaches From The Neck?

Cervicogenic headache is the term used to describe a headache that has it's cause in the neck region. It used to be thought headaches were caused by something in the head itself, but researchers have now learned that neck injuries can produce head pain.
A study from Norway (Acta Neurol Scand 2007; Nov. 20; Sjaastad o, Bakketeig LS) showed that about 4% of the population will have this type of headache. Taking medications to cover the pain will not ultimately correct the mechanical neck problem.
I have a lot of patients that come to see our office that have low back or neck problems, and would never think that their headaches that they suffer from could be related to their neck pain. Once we perform an evaluation with them and we find physical problems with their neck, then their is a good chance their headaches are a result of nerve irritation to the cervical spine.
The symptoms of a cervicogenic headache are as follows: one-sided head pain and same side shoulder and sometimes even arm pain. Patients also have some limited mobility of the neck regions. Usually they will notice when they have trouble turning their head to back their car out of the garage. Migraine sufferers will also notice the neck problems, but not always. Because of the different signs from a typical migraine headache, a physician may overlook the neck as a potential source for the cause of your head pain. Self-diagnosing your headache can be even worse since potentially serious causes of your head pain, such as high blood pressure may go undiscovered and left untreated. In any case it's unlikely that your headache has been caused by a deficiency of pain pills in your diet. There are also unintended side effects that have to be considered when weighing any drug treatment options.
Another study from Norway (Funct. Neurol 2007; 22: 145; Drottning M, Staff PH, Sjaastad)
looked at causes of cervicogenic headaches, specifically whiplash injuries of the neck. In this study, 587 whiplash patients were followed over a six-year period. About 8% of the whiplash sufferers developed a cervicogenic headache six weeks after the initial trauma. 35% of these patients were still suffering six years later.
Our clinic specializes in the treatment of spine-caused head pain especially cervicogenic headache. To determine this we have to perform a comprehensive examination of your spine to see if sprains of your cervical or thoracic joints are present and review whether you've suffered a trauma in years past that could have affected the posture and mobility of these delicate spinal structures. For patients who do not go down the road of medications for their head pain, chiropractic care can be a more healthy option.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Roman
www.drjamesroman.com