Post whiplashPost head injuryStomach sleepingPoor sitting/working posturesCongenital spinal curvaturesOsteoporosisDegenerative cervical discs (a form of osteoarthritis that can either be the cause of or the result of a cervical kyphosis)Compression fracture of vertebral bodyInfection of the cervical spine ANATOMY: STRAIGHT VS. CURVED “I’ve always heard that it was good to stand up straight.” “Stand upright, stick your chest out and hold your shoulders back! Otherwise you’re going get widows hump.” Are these expressions as familiar to you as they are to me? One might think that having a curved neck goes against what we heard from parents and teachers as we were growing up, but the reality is that there is a little bit a truth in both. Maintaining good posture throughout our lives is crucial to both the health of our spine and vital organs. On the contrary, a special type of curve called a “lordosis” is a good thing, both in the neck and lower back. When we look at a person from the back their spine should be truly straight, so that the left and right sides of one’s body is symmetrical.
However, when we view a person from the side, the front and back of their body is different and this is reflected in a coinciding curvature of the spine. Both the lower back and neck are hollowed out (concave) and the mid or “thoracic” spine is protrudes (convex). Thus there is an alternation of curves functioning to provide stability, shock absorption and aid in propulsion. A straight spine would be very stiff and not flexible. Imagine the plight of a pole vaulter with an inflexible pole. Nature’s design of our spine and rib cage facilitates breathing and offers protective and supportive framework for vital organs. Spinal disks are shock absorbers and because they are in the front of the spine, lordotic curvatures keep them from having to bear weight. Kyphosis or loss of such curvatures bears weight upon the disks, leading to their ultimate degeneration. This process of deterioration is a form of osteoarthritis and in the spine is known as degenerative spondylosis.DIAGNOSISAlthough most chiropractors or conservative orthopedists can recognize a cervical curve reversal upon viewing the patient’s posture, a definitive diagnosis may be obtained via a standing lateral (side view) X-ray of the neck.
Cause can often be determined by corroborating a comprehensive history, a thorough examination, X-rays and questions about sleep, work and lifestyle. In my professional career as a chiropractic physician, I found that the majority of young adults presenting with cervical kyphosis either had a whiplash or were stomach sleepers from an early age. For desk jockeys 40-60 years of age, many hours of sitting with their head flexed forward almost dictates the fate of developing kyphosis. In prior years I considered cervical kyphosis a job hazard for the careers of accountants, attorneys and often teachers because of years spent with their head in a book or paperwork. However, the digital age offers some relief in that respect. A well-planned, ergonomically-friendly office can do wonders for protecting the spine in the sedentary worker. TREATMENT FOR CERVICAL CURVE REVERSAL (KYPHOSIS)During my chiropractic practice I had the opportunity to note a good percentage of correction toward a more normal lordosis (noted on X-ray) for 70% of patients under my care.
This was almost always consistent with those patients that followed all recommendations and were model participants in their own care. Here is the recommended treat plan: Spinal manipulation of stiff and fixated spinal segments by a qualified physicianFlexibility exercises for flexion and extension of cervical spineResistance exercises for flexors and extensors of the neckLearn the Alexander Technique for maintaining good posture (HINT: the basic philosophy is to sit and stand like you were hanging by a string from the vertex of your skull. Liken it to a puppet on a string).Elimination of stomach sleepingAvoid standing on your head, although some yoga postures may be beneficialUse of orthopedic neck pillow while sleepingEstablish and ergonomic friendly work environment while working at your desktop of computer monitor should be at eyebrow levelergonomic chair should remain in a slightly forward tilted position to facilitate an upright posture. If you do not have such a chair, try a wedge cushion with a built in forward tilt.prudent use of an ergonomic footrest to balance the forward tilt of an ergonomic chairelbows must be at your side during mousing, track pad or keyboard entry.
DO NOT reach for these items Footwear and Back Pain Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Golf Tips to Avoid Back Pain Avoiding Back Pain on Vacation Keeping a Healthy Posture Pain Prevention for Athletes Yard Work and Back Pain Housework and Back or Neck Pain Swimming and Back or Neck Pain Back Injury Prevention Tips Staying Active in the Winter Staying Active While at Home Staying Fit while Avoiding Injury Depression Caused by Back Pain Office Chairs and Ergonomics Jobs That Might Cause or Aggravate Back Pain Recreational Sports That Might Aggravate Back Pain Running and Lower Back Pain The Effects of Smoking on Spinal Anatomy How to Quit Smoking Medications to Quit Smoking Back Pain and Computer Use Back Pain during Travel Ways to Relieve Stress For many employees who work long hours sitting in front of a computer, their office chair has caused endless frustration in the form of aches and pains.
Neck and back discomfort, however, do not have to be normal parts of your professional life. Ergonomics is the study of how well workers are able to adapt to their professional environment while staying healthy and productive. Therefore, an ergonomically designed office chair would be one that takes into consideration common neck and back ailments, whether these ailments are a result of muscle strain, ligament sprain or degenerative spine conditions. Choosing the right office chair Below are some things to consider when choosing an ergonomically designed office chair: Lumbar support – The contours of the chair should fully support your lower back. Thoracic (middle back) and cervical (neck) support – The back of the chair should be wide enough to provide ample support to your upper back, shoulders and neck, so that the lower back is not forced to support as much weight. Circulation – The seat of the chair should be properly sloped so that blood can freely circulate through your legs, upper body and brain.