The cervical spine is unique among spinal curves. 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 ranges 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 large, a condition termed stenosis exists and creates greater pain and disability. (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 the like that
may form. Plus, the cervical spine has to hold up
the average head weighing 9 pounds! The cervical spine is amazing.
No wonder it appeals to researchers and anatomists
and chiropractors like yours at Johnson Chiropractic and triggers
such pain for Richmond neck pain sufferers. Fortunately,
your Richmond 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 developments in the area
of radiology are now available and may help back pain healthcare
providers like your Richmond chiropractor better
diagnose and care for 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 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 takes place, 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 ease pain and restore
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 Richmond chiropractic
patients seek care for a headache, they’ll
often describe limited range of motion. That
isn’t uncommon. A randomized control trial of spinal
manipulation compared to spinal mobilization for relief of
cervicogenic headache reported that manipulation and mobilization
have comparable effects on disability, pain, global rating of
change score, and cervical ranges of motion. (2) Our chiropractic care of the
cervical spine addresses Richmond neck
pain as well as related range of motion issues like acute neck
pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION FOR ACUTE NECK PAIN
Acute Richmond 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 occasionally
uncertain to refer for manual therapy
as they weren’t 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 revealed
that spinal manipulation alone or combined with other therapies
was effective for acute neck pain with no serious adverse effects being reported. (3) Your
Richmond chiropractor who understands the cervical spine
well and provides safe spinal manipulation works with
Richmond general practitioners to help neck pain
sufferers find relief.
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
Check out this PODCAST
with Dr. David Kulla on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares
how the Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction System of Spinal Pain Management helps
him help his patients with neck pain and headache relief.
Make your Richmond
chiropractic appointment today. The uniqueness of the cervical
spinal curve and the pain conditions affecting it merit
a unique treatment protocol to take care of pain. At
Johnson Chiropractic, that protocol is safe, gentle, and effective!