The cervical spine is unique among the
curves of the spine. Unlike its fellow thoracic and lumbar curves, the cervical spine contains the spinal cord quite 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 level of the spine. 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 let alone any disc herniation or bone spur and the like that
may develop. 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 Executive Chiropractic of Iowa and produces
such pain for West Des Moines neck pain sufferers. Fortunately,
your West Des Moines chiropractor understands the cervical spine
anatomy and potential painful cervical conditions in addition to 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 advances in the field
of radiology are now available and may help back pain healthcare
providers like your West Des Moines chiropractor better
diagnose and care for neck pain and surgical
colleagues create more appropriate surgical
techniques! New 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) 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 best as possible.
CERVICAL SPINE TREATMENT FOR CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE
The cervical spine range of motion is involved
in patients with cervicogenic headache. When West Des Moines chiropractic
patients seek care for a headache, they will
often describe limited range of motion. That’s not 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 takes care of West Des Moines neck
pain as well as associated range of motion issues like acute neck
pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION FOR ACUTE NECK PAIN
Acute West Des Moines neck pain is a typical
issue for which patients will seek help
from healthcare practitioners like chiropractors as well as general
practitioners (GPs). Medications and/or manual therapy are usual
treatments. Researchers wrote that GPs were sometimes
hesitant in referring 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 therapies
was effective for acute neck pain with no serious adverse effects being reported. (3) Your
West Des Moines chiropractor who knows the cervical spine
well and delivers safe spinal manipulation works with
West Des Moines general practitioners to assist neck pain
sufferers get relief.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
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.
Schedule your West Des Moines
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
Executive Chiropractic of Iowa, that protocol is safe, gentle, and effective!