The cervical spine is unique among the
curves of the spine. Unlike the thoracic and lumbar spine curves, the cervical spine contains 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 little and the cord big, a condition known as stenosis exists and creates greater pain and disability. (4-8) Whatever
the size, there isn’t a lot
of space for the spinal nerves that exit the spinal cord let alone any disc herniation or bone spur and the like that
may form. Plus, the cervical spine has to support
the average 9-pound head! The cervical spine is remarkable.
No wonder it fascinates researchers and anatomists
and chiropractors like yours at Apple Country Chiropractic and triggers
such pain for Williamson neck pain sufferers. Luckily,
your Williamson 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 relieve 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 Williamson chiropractor more beneficially
diagnose and treat neck pain and surgical
colleagues create more appropriate surgical
techniques! New 3D computed tomography imaging allows
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) 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 restore
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 Williamson chiropractic
patients come in with a headache, they will
often note limited range of motion. That is not uncommon. A randomized control trial of spinal
manipulation versus 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 takes care of Williamson neck
pain as well as related range of motion issues like acute neck
pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION FOR ACUTE NECK PAIN
Acute Williamson neck pain is a typical
condition for which patients will seek help
from healthcare practitioners like chiropractors and general
practitioners (GPs). Medications and/or manual therapy are typical
treatments. Researchers state that GPs were sometimes
uncertain 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 in combination with other modalities
was valuable for acute neck pain with no reported serious
adverse effects. (3) Your
Williamson chiropractor who understands the cervical spine
well and delivers safe spinal manipulation works alongside
Williamson general practitioners to assist neck pain
sufferers get relief.
CONTACT Apple Country 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.
Schedule your Williamson
chiropractic appointment soon. The uniqueness of the cervical
spinal curve and the pain conditions affecting it deserve
a unique treatment protocol to take care of pain. At
Apple Country Chiropractic, that protocol is safe, gentle, and effective!