Johnson Chiropractic Addresses the Range of Motion of the Cervical Spine in Treating Neck Pain and Headache

December 21, 2021

The cervical spine is unique among spinal curves. Unlike its fellow thoracic and lumbar curves, the cervical spine houses the spinal cord a bit more 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 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 exit the spinal cord regardless of any disc herniation or bone spur and such that may form. Plus, the cervical spine has to hold up the average 9-pound head! The cervical spine is remarkable. No wonder it appeals to researchers and anatomists and chiropractors like yours at Johnson Chiropractic and triggers such pain for Richmond neck pain sufferers. Luckily, your Richmond chiropractor knows the cervical spine anatomy and potential painful cervical conditions as well as the gentle, stretching treatment 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 field of radiology are now available and may help back pain healthcare providers like your Richmond chiropractor better diagnose and care for neck pain as well as surgical colleagues create more suitable surgical techniques! New 3D computed tomography imaging permits a look at the cervical spine in different 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 individual segment cervical spine ranges of motion to ease 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 involved in patients with cervicogenic headache. When Richmond chiropractic patients seek care for a headache, they will often describe limited range of motion. That isn’t uncommon. A randomized control trial of spinal manipulation versus 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 Richmond neck pain as well as associated range of motion issues like acute neck pain.

SPINAL MANIPULATION FOR ACUTE NECK PAIN

Acute Richmond 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 occasionally hesitant to refer for manual therapy as they weren’t sure about effectiveness and adverse events. In a review of randomized controlled trials published regarding the effect of spinal manipulation for acute neck pain, researchers revealed that spinal manipulation alone or combined with other modalities was valuable for acute neck pain with no reported serious adverse effects. (3) Your Richmond chiropractor who knows the cervical spine well and provides safe spinal manipulation works with Richmond general practitioners to assist neck pain sufferers attain relief.

CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic

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.

Set up your Richmond chiropractic appointment today. The uniqueness of the cervical spinal curve and the pain conditions involving it deserve a unique treatment protocol to ease pain. At Johnson Chiropractic, that protocol is safe, gentle, and effective!