The cervical spine is unique among the
curves of the spine. Unlike its fellow thoracic and lumbar curves, the cervical spine houses the spinal cord quite snugly. The diameter of the vertebral canal in which the
spinal cord lies varies from 11 to 19 mm while the spinal cord measures from 7
to 14 mm depending on the spine level. If the size of the spinal canal is small and the cord big, a condition known as stenosis exists and makes pain and disability a greater problem. (4-8) Whatever
the size, there is not a lot
of space for the spinal nerves that leave the spinal cord let alone any disc herniation or bone spur and such that
may form. Plus, the cervical spine has to support
the average 9-pound head! The cervical spine is amazing.
No wonder it fascinates researchers and anatomists
and chiropractors like yours at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka and causes
such pain for Sitka neck pain sufferers. Luckily,
your Sitka chiropractor understands the cervical spine
anatomy and potential painful cervical conditions in addition to the gentle, stretching
technique protocols of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management
to reduce the pain.
RESEACHERS STUDY THE CERVICAL SPINE MOTIONS
Such cool developments in the area
of radiology are now available and may help back pain healthcare
providers like your Sitka chiropractor better
diagnose and treat neck pain and surgical
colleagues create more suitable surgical
techniques! New 3D computed tomography imaging permits
a look at the cervical spine in various
positions in normal volunteers. What did the researchers find happens in
the neck with this? Flexion-extension range of motion is greatest at C1-2
and C4-5. C1-2 is where 70% of all axial
rotation takes place, too. C3-4 range of motion for lateral
bending is greater than C1-2, C5-6 and C6-7. (1) The use
of Cox® Technic for cervical spine pain allows
segment-specific treatment of each of the cervical
spine ranges of motion to relieve pain and bring back
normal ranges of motion as best as possible.
CERVICAL SPINE TREATMENT FOR CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE
The cervical spine range of motion is addressed
in patients with cervicogenic headache. When Sitka chiropractic
patients come in with a headache, they will
often describe limited range of motion. That
isn’t unusual. A randomized control trial of spinal
manipulation compared to spinal mobilization for relief of
cervicogenic headache explained that manipulation and mobilization
have similar effects on disability, pain, global rating of
change score, and cervical ranges of motion. (2) Our chiropractic care of the
cervical spine treats Sitka neck
pain as well as associated range of motion issues like acute neck
pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION FOR ACUTE NECK PAIN
Acute Sitka neck pain is a typical
condition for which patients will seek help
from healthcare practitioners like chiropractors as well as general
practitioners (GPs). Medications and/or manual therapy are typical
treatments. Researchers state that GPs were sometimes
uncertain in referring for manual therapy
as they were not sure about effectiveness and adverse events. In
a review of randomized controlled trials published about the
effect of spinal manipulation for acute neck pain, researchers found
that spinal manipulation alone or combined with other therapies
was valuable for acute neck pain with no reported serious
adverse effects. (3) Your
Sitka chiropractor who knows the cervical spine
well and delivers safe spinal manipulation works with
Sitka general practitioners to help neck pain
sufferers find relief.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. David Kulla on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes
how the Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction System of Spinal Pain Management helps
him help his patients with neck pain and headache relief.
Schedule your Sitka
chiropractic appointment now. The uniqueness of the cervical
spinal curve and the pain conditions involving it merit
a unique treatment protocol to take care of pain. At
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka, that protocol is safe, gentle, and effective!