The How and Why of Cervicogenic Headache
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios
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Defined Tag: Cervicogenic Headache.
Cervicogenic headache is related to a primary contributing structural source, the cervical spine. In other words, this type of headache stems from the neck and upper back spinal area. Primarily mechanical in nature, it affects mostly women. Women having weaker neck muscles than men, more strain is placed on the neck, and combined with improper posture, leads to cervicogenic pain. This ensuing headache is felt as a tight band around the forehead and eyes, because the nerves connecting the skull and the neck are referred to the forehead. Consequently, any pressure or contraction of the nerves is transferred to the forehead, resulting in headache.
Cervicogenic headache and pain can also result from whip lash injury, too much tension in the spine and neck, intervertebral disc disease, and progressive facet joint arthritis.
Patterns of headache relating to the muscular trigger points in the neck, shoulder blade or peri-scapular region, disc and joint levels in the upper spine, have been documented as related areas of cervicogenic headache. Headaches typically brushed off as a migraine, can in fact be related to the area of the base of the skull. This area, called the sub occipital region as it is located below the occipital part of the head, has joints which connect the top two or three levels of the cervical spine to the base of the skull. Since this area handles more than 50 percent of the total motion of the entire neck and head region, small, insignificant ‘details’ like bad posture and fatigue can take a disproportionate toll on the area, which in turn results in pain and cervicogenic headache.
Treatment of cervicogenic headache usually revolves around physical therapy provided by a qualified and well-trained spinal physician. Relaxation and posture techniques form the core of such therapy, with surgery being the last option when the damage is too extensive. Pain medication, chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture, as well as massage, are also good options for the management of chronic pain and cervicogenic headache.
At the moment, the only diagnostic test which is recommended by all physicians in this area is the Occipital Nerve Block, which diagnoses as well as treats the problem. Relief is felt within seconds, and the patient is then steered towards physical therapy and a muscle relaxation program.
BIG Mike is a well known author, developer and Adsense expert as well as the owner of Niche Maniacs - a unique Adsense Marketing System designed to build long-term passive income streams from Adsense, Amazon, YPN, Chitika and other PPC services.
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