Cervicogenic headache … what the heck is that? Unfortunately, many people suffer with headaches. Often those headaches can be debilitating. In 2021a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 40% of the global population, or 3.1 billion people suffer regularly with headaches. While there are many different types of headaches, not many people know about cervicogenic headaches.
What is a Cervicogenic Headache:
A cervicogenic headache is a type of secondary headache that originates from tissues in the cervical spine (the neck region) and its related structures. Unlike primary headaches such as migraines or tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches are caused by underlying neck problems. These may include disorders of the cervical vertebrae, intervertebral discs, muscles, or nerves.
Characteristics of Cervicogenic Headaches:
Pain Location: Typically starts at the top of the neck or back of the head and radiates to the front. While not always, they appear more often on one side.
Trigger Points: Pain can be triggered or worsened by neck movements or sustained neck positions. This can include sitting at a desk all day, looking at our phones or gaming.
Associated Symptoms: Other signs may include restricted neck movement, jaw pain, tension across the shoulders, and shoulder pain.
Causes of Cervicogenic Headaches:
Cervical Spine Disorders: Such as spinal misalignments or joint dysfunction. If the neck is out of alignment it can cause both neck pain and headaches.
Herniated discs or degenerative disc disease.
Arthritis: With aches and muscle stiffness there can also be underlying joint dysfunction. As a result we get more neck pain that may lead to cervicogenic headaches.
Neck Injuries: Including whiplash or other trauma.
Postural Issues: Poor posture can lead to muscle strain and tension in the neck.
Spinal Adjustments: Correcting misalignments in the cervical spine.
Posture Correction: Improving posture to alleviate neck strain.
Muscle Therapy: Relaxing and stretching tight neck muscles.
By understanding and treating the underlying cervical spine issues, individuals can achieve significant relief from cervicogenic headaches. If you are having headaches in North Phoenix and this presentation sounds familiar, Desert Valley Chiropractic would like to help.
Did you know that Chiropractic Care doesn’t have to be scary? Despite the proven benefits and growing popularity of chiropractic care, we often see patients who are initially nervous about seeking care. Sadly, several misconceptions persist that can deter individuals from seeking the relief and wellness they deserve. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths about chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Myth #1 – Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous:
While this sentiment is not nearly as prevalent as it once was there are some that still think it’s dangerous. Some are “scared of the pop and crack,” but not all chiropractor adjust that way. Statically chiropractic adjustments are safe, even the traditional approach. However, at Desert Valley Chiropractic we specialize in a different technique. We use a light an effective adjusting instrument called an Activator to mobilize and realign the spine without twisting, or cracking.
There are many benefits to an Activator adjustment, and they include:
Speed – An Activator is roughly 1000 times faster than adjusting with our hands! Since we don’t twist our patients like a pretzel there is no resistance. This means we don’t need all the force to adjust the spine.
Reduced Inflammation – Groundbreaking research in 2016 by Dr. Song discovered that a chiropractic adjustment with an Activator reduce swelling. Specifically Activator will reduce swelling around the facet joints and the nerve root. This is essential to reducing pain and improving mobility.
Precision: Activator allows for pinpoint accuracy. We target specific areas of the spine and joints to improve alignment and function.
Safety: The controlled force and gentle nature of the adjustments make the Activator Method a safe option for patients of all ages, including children and the elderly. Again, no twisting, popping or cracking!
Chiropractic Myth #2 – 1. Chiropractic care is for adults only:
Chiropractic care is a versatile and effective healthcare option for individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
Children – gentle chiropractic adjustments can help with common issues such as colic, ear infections, and improving sleep patterns.
Teenagers and Adults – They benefit from chiropractic care for sports injuries, posture improvement, and managing everyday aches and pains.
Seniors – Chiropractic care provides a safe and effective way to address age-related conditions like arthritis and improve overall mobility and balance.
By focusing on the body’s natural ability to heal itself, chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to health and wellness, ensuring that patients of all ages can lead healthier, more active lives.
Chiropractic Myth #3 – Chiropractic care is only for Low back Pain:
It is true that many patients seek chiropractic care for low back pain however, studies indicate over half the population seeking chiropractic care do it for other health concerns as well: A review by the National Institute of Health (NIH) demonstrated the following:
46 % of patients who visit a chiropractor are because of Low Back Pain.
13 % of patients who visit a chiropractor do so because of Neck Pain
Chiropractic care does not have to be scary. It can be an effective treatment to reduce pain and get you back to your life, and we would like to help you with that. Call or schedule today and find out for yourself the truth about chiropractic care.
In our office we see this all the time, patients will tell us it hurts right here! Then they point to the top of the glute area or sacroiliac joint (SI joint). It is a particularly common problem with people who sit a lot for work, even with an ergonomically correct set up. While there certainly can be multiple reasons to have pain to have a “pain in the butt” we typically will see problems with the fifth lumbar vertebrae (L5) and or an SI joint that has locked up.
The Anatomy of the problem:
The sacroiliac (SI) joint and the lumbar spine are intricately connected. They play vital roles in maintaining the stability and flexibility of the lower back and pelvis. The lumbar spine, composed of the five vertebrae in the lower back, supports much of the upper body’s weight and enables a range of movements, including bending and twisting. At the base of the lumbar spine lies the sacrum, a triangular bone that fits between the two ilium bones of the pelvis. This forms the sacroiliac joint or SI joints on either side.
These joints act as shock absorbers, distributing the forces exerted on the spine and pelvis during activities like walking, lifting, and running. The connection between the lumbar spine and the SI joints ensures a seamless transfer of weight and motion from the upper body to the lower limbs. This facilitates smooth and coordinated movements. However, any dysfunction in the SI joints can disrupt this balance, leading to pain and limited mobility. Understanding this connection is crucial for diagnosing and treating lower back and pelvic pain effectively.
Common Causes of the pain in your Butt (no its not your spouse):
Experts have difficulty estimating the number of people that suffer with SI joint pain because of the prevalence of low back complaints. Still, it is estimated that a third of the patient with low back pain also have pain related to joint dysfunction of the SI joint. This equates to roughly 204 million people world wide who have pain in and around the SI joints. There can be many factors that result in you having a pain in the butt including:
Repetitive Stress: Activities that involve repetitive motion, like running or heavy lifting, can strain the SI joint.
Too much sitting: Many people sit for long periods of time while at work, and this can put pressure into the SI joint and low back, as well as causing the muscles in the area to tighten up.
Prolonged standing: Standing for a long period of time, and sometimes standing on a hard surface can be hard on the SI joints, causing them to get inflamed and irritated.
Injury or Trauma: A sudden impact, such as a fall or car accident, can injure the SI joint.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and increased weight during pregnancy can put extra stress on the SI joint.
Arthritis: Degenerative arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis can affect the SI joint.
Poor Posture: Prolonged sitting or standing with poor posture can contribute to SI joint dysfunction.
Symptoms of SI Joint Pain:
The symptoms of SI joint pain can vary but often involve pain in the low back, pelvic pain, limited range of motion and worsening pain with movement. Some common examples include:
Pain rolling over in bed
Increase pain while standing
Increase in pain while sitting
Increase in pain while climbing stairs
Increase in pain while walking or running
increase in pain with large steps forward
Treatment Options for SI Joint Pain:
The treatments for SI joint pain may vary, but at Desert Valley Chiropractic we focus fixing the joint dysfunction so you can move and be pain free. We offer various treatment options for managing SI joint pain:
Chiropractic Adjustments: Using the Activator Methods technique, we can check and isolate if the problem is cause by joint dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint and or the lumbar spine. Then we provide precise adjustments to restore joint function and alleviate pain.
Physical Therapy: Tailored exercises and stretches can strengthen the muscles around the SI joint and improve flexibility.
Lifestyle Modifications: Recommendations for ergonomic changes, posture correction, and activity modification can help reduce strain on the SI joint.
Pain Management: Techniques like ice/heat therapy, massage, and over-the-counter pain relievers can provide symptomatic relief.
Referral to Specialists: In severe cases, we may refer patients to orthopedic specialists for further evaluation and treatment.
If we can help with your SI joint pain please schedule and appointment here or call us at 602-439-1515. Let’s work together to get you back to a pain-free life!
Let’s discuss one of the most common mistakes that we encounter at Desert Valley Chiropractic when talking with our patients. That is when to use ice or heat, but chances are you are doing it wrong. It’s really not that complicated complicated but knowing when to use either ice and or heat at the appropriate time can minimize pain and improve our healing time after injury.
Before we move on can you guess what the biggest mistake is? Keep reading for the answer so you can avoid it.
When should I use Ice?
The most common time to use ice is during the acute healing or inflammatory phase following an injury, and or after an increase in pain from a chronic condition. This occurs within the first 48-72 hours when the inflammation is at its peak. It is important to note that the inflammatory phase is a natural part of the healing process but It can be managed to reduce the effects an injury has on our body and bring relief from pain.
3 reasons to use ice in the first 72 hours.
Reduces swelling by constricting the blood vessels to minimize blood flow to the area and minimizes swelling.
Pain reduction because ice can numb the area temporarily offering pain relief.
Reduce inflammation by slowing down cellular metabolism and reducing the body’s natural inflammatory response.
Common forms of Ice
An ice pack
A bag of frozen Vegetables (please don’t try to eat them later)
Ice cubes in a towel or Ziploc Bag
When applying use a thin towel, you do not apply ice directly to the skin.
How long to apply Ice
It is appropriate to apply ice for 15 minutes at a time, and it is critical for you to repeat the process 3 or more times a day. Honestly, repetition is the key and the more often you ice during this phase the faster the swelling will reduce and the quicker you will heal.
Ice and Heat in Combination
Following the first 72 hours (3 days) after an injury you can use a combination of heat and ice. This is known as contrast therapy and it will help you to continue to maximize the body’s healing response. The time frame for contrast therapy is between 3rd to 7th days after injury.
The preferred order for contrast therapy is to use heat for 15 minutes, followed by rest for 15 minutes and then ending with ice for 15 minutes. The heat will open blood vessels improving circulation to the damaged tissue bringing the essentials the area needs to heal. However, heat can also cause more swelling, so we always want to end with ice to remove the excess swelling and minimize pain.
Heat
Let’s face it heat feels good when we use it, but easily the most common mistake patients make is to use just heat too soon after injury. Understand that heat when used correctly can be incredibly beneficial, but we always need to reduce the inflammation with ice first, and then we can consider heat therapy.
Benefits of Heat Therapy
Increases Blood Flow: Applying heat to an affected area helps dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow. This can aid in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, promoting healing. Because of the increase in blood flow, it is important to note the timing with using heat. Limit your timing to 15-20 minutes per use. Longer than 20 minutes can cause a Vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) which can then create a muscle spasm. It is perfectly ok to use heat 3 or more times a day, never longer than 20 minutes at one time.
Relieves Muscle Stiffness: Heat helps relax muscles, reducing stiffness and making it easier to move the affected area. This is particularly useful for chronic conditions such as arthritis. Keep in mind that if it is acute (sudden onset) muscle pain you want to use ice.
Reduces Pain: The soothing warmth can help alleviate pain by relaxing tense muscles and improving blood circulation.
Promotes Tissue Healing: By enhancing blood flow, heat can help speed up the healing process of damaged tissues.
When to Use Heat Therapy
– Chronic Pain: Conditions like arthritis, muscle stiffness, and old injuries benefit from heat application.
– Pre-Exercise: Applying heat before physical activity can loosen muscles, making them more pliable and less prone to injury.
– Relaxation: For general muscle relaxation and relief from everyday stress and tension.
The Best Sleep Positions to Avoid Neck and Back Pain
Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for your overall health and well-being. However, the position in which you sleep can have a significant impact on your spinal health. At Desert Valley Chiropractic, we understand that proper alignment of the spine during sleep is essential for preventing pain and maintaining good health. Here are our top recommendations for the best sleeping positions to help you wake up feeling refreshed and pain-free.
Sleeping on Your Back
Back sleeping is often considered one of the best sleep positions, it really is the gold standard for spinal health. This sleep position allows your head, neck, and spine to rest in a neutral position, which means there’s no extra pressure on those areas. To enhance comfort and reduce lower back strain, consider placing a pillow under your knees to maintain the natural curve of your spine.
If you are exclusively a back sleeper choosing the right pillow can help avoid unnecessary neck pain. You don’t want a thick pillow that pushes your chin down toward your chest, this will strain your neck causing neck pain and potentially headaches. If you are a back sleeper you may want to consider a cervical pillow which can help maintain the natural curve in our necks.
Sleeping on Your Side
Side sleeping is another great example of the best sleep positions, especially for pregnant women and people suffering from chronic back pain. To get the most out of this position, make sure to:
– Use a firm pillow to keep your head and neck aligned with your spine. You want your head and neck remain neutral which is to say you don’t want it to bend too far in either direction.
– Placing a pillow between your knees is crucial. This can prevent your lower body from torquing (like wringing out a wet towel) which can pull your spine out of alignment. A good option is to place a king or body pillow between your knees, because then you can hold or “spoon” the pillow with your arms so you don’t lose it when rolling over to the other side. This is also helpful and keeping your knees and hips aligned which keeps your lower body from twisting too much.
Pro Tip – placing a pillow between your knees can also be a helpful way for people to transition away from stomach sleeping to side sleeping. When you are on your side and you spoon the pillow you can fool your body into feeling like you’re sleeping on your stomach.
Back and Side Sleeping in Combination
It has been our experience over the last 20+ years that many patients will move from back to side sleeping through the night. As noted above, both positions are good for our spinal health so there is nothing wrong with moving from one to the other. In fact, this is the way I sleep, and I have found that it is important you choose the correct pillow to avoid unnecessary strain on the cervical spine.
Sorry stomach sleepers, but there is no way to sugar coat this, stomach sleeping is bad. As far as the best sleep positions are concerned, this is the worse. It is hard on both your neck and back. This position can force your neck to turn to one side, causing strain and discomfort. Additionally, your hips will sink into the mattress which is a common cause of morning back pain.
We hear all the time “but doc it’s the only way I can get comfortable enough to sleep” or “I have been a stomach sleeper all my life”. Trust me, I know how comfortable stomach sleeping can be. While I just said that when I sleep, I move from my back to my side, I didn’t always do that.
Growing up and in my early teens I was a stomach sleeper, and on a waterbed no less. As a result, when I was 13, I started to get lower back pain, so my mom took me to her chiropractor. In addition to some great Activator treatment, I was also given some tips to transition away from a stomach sleeping. It does not happen overnight, but it can be done and if you read the side sleeping section above you will get a helpful tip.
If you have tried everything and simply must sleep on your stomach please use a thin pillow under your head and another under your pelvis to minimize the strain to your spine.
Listen to Your Body
Your body will tell you if something is wrong, so if you wake up feeling sore or stiff, it might be time to evaluate your sleeping position, your pillows and or your mattress. Make sure your sleeping environment supports your spinal health.
Consult with a Chiropractor
Chiropractic care can be helpful with our spinal alignment so we can both feel well and move well. If you’re experiencing discomfort despite making the adjustments in this article, it may be beneficial to consult with a chiropractor. At Desert Valley Chiropractic, we can provide personalized advice and treatments to help align your spine and improve your sleep quality.
Remember, the goal is to support the spine in a neutral alignment and avoid any positions that might cause strain or discomfort. Sweet dreams and healthy sleeping!
