Bookmark this on Delicious
Stumble It!
Showing posts with label cervical spine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cervical spine. Show all posts
1/21/2015
Neck Spine Anatomy Video...
This is a great depiction of the cervical spine anatomy. I always like to review the anatomy periodically. Knowing your neck will help you get it better!
Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.
Bookmark this on Delicious
Stumble It!
Bookmark this on Delicious
Stumble It!
9/01/2010
Suffering From Neck orBack Pain? Look to Your Posture...
Just today I saw a new patient in our office with neck and back pain. She was sitting on our exam table when I entered the room. Due to her severe pain I decided to do as much as I could with her in the seated position because I knew it would bother her neck to move around much.
I was feeling the spine and asked her to sit up as much as possible and look straight ahead. Then she noted to me; “my whole life I’ve had bad posture”. Why is this important?
-Posture is a window to our spinal alignment-
If someone comes in to see me, and I notice that their head is tilted, or forward, etc…you better believe that their cervical spine looks like that. This is extremely important because every millimeter of shift or malposition means that there is a greater likelihood of nerve pressure.
Misalignments may not be causing pain right now but if left alone it usually gets worse and then there will be pain…or arm discomfort…or headaches…or worse. The nervous system is our bodies control panel, interference will cause a problem; if not immediate it will happen somewhere down the road.
Using tools like the cltraction pillow, linear gravity pillow, or the posture corrector can help improve neck and back posture and keep your nerves free from interference.
Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief. Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!
I was feeling the spine and asked her to sit up as much as possible and look straight ahead. Then she noted to me; “my whole life I’ve had bad posture”. Why is this important?
If someone comes in to see me, and I notice that their head is tilted, or forward, etc…you better believe that their cervical spine looks like that. This is extremely important because every millimeter of shift or malposition means that there is a greater likelihood of nerve pressure.
Misalignments may not be causing pain right now but if left alone it usually gets worse and then there will be pain…or arm discomfort…or headaches…or worse. The nervous system is our bodies control panel, interference will cause a problem; if not immediate it will happen somewhere down the road.
Using tools like the cltraction pillow, linear gravity pillow, or the posture corrector can help improve neck and back posture and keep your nerves free from interference.
Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.
Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!
1/01/2010
Why Didn’t my Doctor tell me my Neck has no Curve
At this point I’ve seen numerous patients who had neck s-rays requested by their MD. They were sent to the radiology center or the imaging floor of the hospital.
What typically takes place is the films are taken and a radiologist reads them. The doctor then looks at his report and makes his diagnosis. At the hospital they are mainly looking for major, life-threatening findings: fractures, cancer, etc … When spinal shifts are spotted they are often neglected or sometimes overlooked.
More and more nowadays radiologists and MD’s have learned the importance and significance of spinal misalignments. However, I still find that many patients are not being made aware of these findings and told everything looks ok.
Spinal misalignments are significant! Especially a complete loss of your neck curvature or a reversal of the curvature. However, chiropractor, physical therapist, or physiatrist can often even detect possible alignment issues through posture analysis, ranges of motion, or palpation.
Keep in mind that your MD doesn’t actually read your x-rays, he’s got many other things to do, and doesn’t have the time. The radiologist reads the x-rays and will send the report to your MD. So there often can be some subjectivity when the pictures are read as well as the report. Also, when I say your MD I’m referring to your primary care doctor. Radiologists are MD’s too, and if your doctor is a specialist; orthopedist, neurologist, or D.C. for example, they often read the images themselves as well.
In conclusion, take charge of your own health. Spinal shifts are not normal and you shouldn’t be told everything’s fine when there are significant abnormalities. An inadequate or abnormal neck curve is a big one, and shouldn’t be discounted anyway.
What typically takes place is the films are taken and a radiologist reads them. The doctor then looks at his report and makes his diagnosis. At the hospital they are mainly looking for major, life-threatening findings: fractures, cancer, etc … When spinal shifts are spotted they are often neglected or sometimes overlooked.
More and more nowadays radiologists and MD’s have learned the importance and significance of spinal misalignments. However, I still find that many patients are not being made aware of these findings and told everything looks ok.
Spinal misalignments are significant! Especially a complete loss of your neck curvature or a reversal of the curvature. However, chiropractor, physical therapist, or physiatrist can often even detect possible alignment issues through posture analysis, ranges of motion, or palpation.
Keep in mind that your MD doesn’t actually read your x-rays, he’s got many other things to do, and doesn’t have the time. The radiologist reads the x-rays and will send the report to your MD. So there often can be some subjectivity when the pictures are read as well as the report. Also, when I say your MD I’m referring to your primary care doctor. Radiologists are MD’s too, and if your doctor is a specialist; orthopedist, neurologist, or D.C. for example, they often read the images themselves as well.
In conclusion, take charge of your own health. Spinal shifts are not normal and you shouldn’t be told everything’s fine when there are significant abnormalities. An inadequate or abnormal neck curve is a big one, and shouldn’t be discounted anyway.
Happy New Year Everyone! Wishing everyone a Happy, Prosperous and Healthy 2010 ! - NJ
Additional Reading Resources:
- The Normal Cervical Curve in the Neck
- Neck Pain resulting from a C5, C6, C7, or C8 Radiculopathy
- Which Neck Pillow is Right for My Needs?
- Dr. Bellingers’ Neck Pain Relief Kit
- Proven Neck Pain Cure that Works Wonders- without surgery or drugs
Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.
Bookmark this on Delicious
Stumble It!
7/02/2007
Why is the C-Curve so Important In Your Neck?
X-rays are a very important tool for looking at your spine- When looking at a front view X-ray of your neck (cervical spine) and low back (lumbar spine), the spinal bones (vertebrae) must be straight up and down. The bones must not be rotated nor tilted and no curvatures (scoliosis) should be present.
The side view X-ray must reveal three 63-degree arcs- 3 "C" Curves. The most important arc is in the neck (cervical spine) and should range between 34 and 43 degrees between C1 and C7 (the first and last cervical vertebrae). This cervical arc is known as the “Arc of Life” because mental life impulses travel directly from the brain down this part of the spinal cord to bring life to the rest of the body. Losing your Arc of Life causes the most severe obstruction to the brain, spinal cord and nerves, also known as the Central Nervous System (CNS)
If your CNS is unhealthy, you cannot become truly healthy by exercising or eating right alone. You can be healthier, but you cannot be at “normal” or optimal. Any “abnormal” position of the spine, misalignment of the bones, or any changes in these curves indicate a serious problem. It is absolutely vital to understand this point--any changes from “normal” will interfere with and eventually damage the Central Nervous System. Interference and damage to the Central Nervous System will always result in “abnormal” function of the body, improper healing, and poor, abnormal, or less than optimal health.
“ … Posture affects and moderates every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production.”
--C. Norman Shealy, MD, Roger K. Cady, MD, et al; APJM, 1994, Vol.4p. 36
Normal Neck Curve
When bones of the spine lose their normal position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels to the head can be affected. When spinal nerves and related tissues are stretched or irritated they can symptoms such as headaches and neck pain. Aspirin and medication may cover up these warning signs, but do not correct the underlying structural cause. Many patients with neck pain have lost the normal forward curve in the neck. Ultimately, this can affect the brain stem and spinal cord.
Loss of Normal Neck Curve- Loss of Neck Curve: The MILITARY NECK
The side view X-ray must reveal three 63-degree arcs- 3 "C" Curves. The most important arc is in the neck (cervical spine) and should range between 34 and 43 degrees between C1 and C7 (the first and last cervical vertebrae). This cervical arc is known as the “Arc of Life” because mental life impulses travel directly from the brain down this part of the spinal cord to bring life to the rest of the body. Losing your Arc of Life causes the most severe obstruction to the brain, spinal cord and nerves, also known as the Central Nervous System (CNS)
If your CNS is unhealthy, you cannot become truly healthy by exercising or eating right alone. You can be healthier, but you cannot be at “normal” or optimal. Any “abnormal” position of the spine, misalignment of the bones, or any changes in these curves indicate a serious problem. It is absolutely vital to understand this point--any changes from “normal” will interfere with and eventually damage the Central Nervous System. Interference and damage to the Central Nervous System will always result in “abnormal” function of the body, improper healing, and poor, abnormal, or less than optimal health.
“ … Posture affects and moderates every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production.”
--C. Norman Shealy, MD, Roger K. Cady, MD, et al; APJM, 1994, Vol.4p. 36
Normal Neck Curve
When bones of the spine lose their normal position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels to the head can be affected. When spinal nerves and related tissues are stretched or irritated they can symptoms such as headaches and neck pain. Aspirin and medication may cover up these warning signs, but do not correct the underlying structural cause. Many patients with neck pain have lost the normal forward curve in the neck. Ultimately, this can affect the brain stem and spinal cord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
