50 percent or more of the world's adults experience headache symptoms at least once per year. These headaches can take a variety of forms, from the common tension headaches that trouble so many people to debilitating migraines and the neck-based headaches known as cervicogenic headaches.

Thankfully, chiropractic care can help you overcome cervicogenic headaches even if other therapies have failed. Find out how and why this conservative treatment works by studying the following questions and answers about cervicogenic headaches.

What Happens in a Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache counts as a kind of referred pain. The pain signals that create the headache actually originate in the neck. An injury or misalignment of the cervical spine can make you vulnerable to cervicogenic headaches. Underlying conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can also produce cervicogenic headaches.

A typical cervicogenic headache starts on one side of the back of your head before advancing forward. The hand or arm on that side of your body may also experience pain. Unlike other types of headaches, these recurring, stubborn headaches don't respond to pain relief medications, forcing sufferers to seek other treatment options.

How Do Chiropractic Adjustments Relieve Cervicogenic Headaches

Since cervicogenic headaches often occur due to cervical spinal issues, chiropractic adjustments to correct those issues can often relieve them at the source. With the aid of a specialized tool, your chiropractor can apply small, controlled amounts of thrust to restore the cervical spine's normal vertebral alignment.

Chiropractic adjustments for cervicogenic headaches have demonstrated considerable effectiveness. One study showed that participants suffered fewer and less severe headaches up to three months after treatment, with half the group reporting complete relief from their cervicogenic headache symptoms.

What Other Treatment Methods Can Your Chiropractor Administer?

Many chiropractors combine chiropractic adjustments with other safe, non-invasive healing methods to combat health disorders. If you suffer from cervicogenic headaches, your chiropractor may create a comprehensive, holistic treatment plan for you that incorporates both adjustment sessions and other therapies.

Cervicogenic headaches can involve the soft tissues of the neck as well as the cervical spine. For this reason, your chiropractor may administer techniques such as massage or trigger point therapy to soothe injured neck tissues and accelerate their healing. You may also benefit from passive joint mobilization and neck strengthening exercises.

If your nagging headaches stem from your neck, schedule an appointment with a reputable local chiropractor. With any luck, you'll find that chiropractic care can rid you of those nagging cervicogenic headaches.