It is remarkable that the cervical curve has been a point of contention with the argument that a loss of cervical curve (hypolordosis) to a reversed cervical curve (kyphosis) is just a common normal variant and nothing more. It would seem like common sense that a loss of any of the natural curves of the spine would be a bad thing. Would it be any surprise that health problems such as pain and spinal degeneration would develop due to a loss of natural spinal curvatures?
Sadly this is not the case, because common sense is not common. The reality is that a loss of cervical curve or even a reversed kyphotic cervical curve is NOT normal and a treatment program aimed at restoration of the cervical curve as well as the natural curvatures of the spine is in fact a valid objective and outcome.
Harrison et. al. designed a study putting patients into 3 groups to assess cervical curve in patients that were:
1. Neck pain free (asymptomatic)
2. Having acute neck pain symptoms (acute meaning a recent occurrence)
3. Patients having chronic neck pain symptoms (chronic meaning long-term)
In each of these three groups it was found that patients that were neck pain free (asymptomatic) had cervical curves that appeared to be within the normal range which is known to be 31-40⁰. (see table below). Please note that three different methods were used to assess the cervical curve. The findings remain consistent regardless of the cervical curve measurement method, which is important to note.
The acute neck pain group had a loss of cervical curve and had fallen out side of what is considered normal. The chronic neck pain group was noted to have even more loss of cervical curve. There is an obvious trend that is revealed showing the more cervical curve lost the more symptomatic the patient will become.
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| Posterior Tangent Method | Cobb Angle Method | Radius of Curvature Method | |
| 1. Asymptomatic | 34.5⁰ | 26.8⁰ | 132.8 mm |
| 2. Acute Neck Pain | 28.6⁰ | 16.5⁰ | 179 mm |
| 3. Chronic Neck Pain | 22.0⁰ | 12.7⁰ | 245.5 mm |
It is also important to note that other studies have found a similar trend, a statistically significant movement that showed an increase in neck pain in patients that had a significant loss in cervical curve. Again this would seem like common sense, right?
What To Do If You Suffer With Chronic Reoccurring Neck Pain?
Our number one suggestion would be to visit an Upper Cervical Chiropractor for a spinal evaluation, as they specialize in the neck. The number one cause of chronic reoccurring neck pain is a condition called Atlas Subluxation Complex (ASC).
The noninvasive treatment of choice for chronic reoccurring neck pain is Upper Cervical Chiropractic care for the correction of Atlas Subluxation Complex.
Correction of Atlas Subluxation Complex In Boise Idaho
Dr. Blom is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor specializing in the detection and correction of Atlas Subluxation Complex in Boise Idaho.If you suspect you have a neck problem and would like to look into it further please give us a call to schedule a consultation to determine if you are a candidate for Upper Cervical Care.
References:
1. Haas M, Taylor JA, Gillette RG. The routine use of rdiographic spinal displacemnt analysis: A dissent. JMPT 1999;22(4):254-9.
2. Harrison DD, Harrison DE, et.al. Modeling of the sagittal cervical spine as a method to discriminate hypolordosis: results of elliptical and circular modeling in 72 asymptomatic subjects, 52 acute neck pain subjects and 70 chronic neck pain subjects. Spine 2004; 29 (22): 2485-92.
3. McAviney J, Schulz D, et.al. Determining the relationship between cervical lordosis and neck complaints. JMPT 2005; 28 (3): 187-93.
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