The cervical spine is unique among spinal curves. Unlike its fellow thoracic and lumbar curves, the cervical spine contains the spinal cord a bit more 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 termed 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 regardless
of 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 interests researchers and anatomists
and chiropractors like yours at Spinal Care Clinic and triggers
such pain for Burlington and Hamilton neck pain sufferers. Fortunately,
your Burlington and Hamilton chiropractor knows the cervical spine
anatomy and potential painful cervical conditions as well as 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 innovations in the area
of radiology are now available and may assist back pain healthcare
providers like your Burlington and Hamilton chiropractor better
diagnose and treat neck pain as well as surgical
colleagues create more appropriate surgical
techniques! Innovative 3D computed tomography imaging allows
a look at the cervical spine in a variety of
positions in normal volunteers. What did the researchers see with this? Flexion-extension range of motion is greatest at C1-2
and C4-5. C1-2 is where 70% of all axial
rotation happens, too. C3-4 range of motion for lateral
bending is larger than C1-2, C5-6 and C6-7. (1) Using Cox® Technic for cervical spine pain allows
segment-specific treatment of each of the cervical
spine ranges of motion to decrease pain and bring back
normal ranges of motion as optimally as possible.
CERVICAL SPINE TREATMENT FOR CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE
The cervical spine range of motion is involved
in patients with cervicogenic headache. When Burlington and Hamilton chiropractic
patients come in with a headache, they will
often note limited range of motion. That
isn’t unusual. A randomized control trial of spinal
manipulation versus spinal mobilization for relief of
cervicogenic headache reported 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 takes care of Burlington and Hamilton neck
pain as well as associated range of motion issues like acute neck
pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION FOR ACUTE NECK PAIN
Acute Burlington and Hamilton neck pain is a common
issue for which patients will look for assistance
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
hesitant to refer 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 in combination with other therapies
was valuable for acute neck pain with no reported serious
adverse effects. (3) Your
Burlington and Hamilton chiropractor who knows the cervical spine
well and provides safe spinal manipulation works with
Burlington and Hamilton general practitioners to assist neck pain
sufferers get relief.
CONTACT Spinal Care Clinic
Check out 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.
Make your Burlington and Hamilton
chiropractic appointment soon. The uniqueness of the cervical
spinal curve and the pain conditions affecting it merit
a unique treatment protocol to take care of pain. At
Spinal Care Clinic, that protocol is safe, gentle, and effective!