Cervical Lordosis Correction at Physical Medicine of Yorkville

That graceful curve in the neck isn't just for show -- it's also an essential part of the cervical spine's biomechanics. This gentle C-curve is called lordosis, and under normal circumstances it allows for proper balance and comfortable support of the head as well as normal cervical nerve function. If the normal degree of lordosis is reduced or reversed due to degenerative disc disease or poor posture, you can end up with neck pain, neurological problems and balance issues that affect your entire musculoskeletal system. Fortunately, any chiropractor our our skilled team at Advanced Physical Medicine of Yorkville can help you regain and maintain that curve through natural means.

What Is Cervical Lordosis and What Causes It?

When viewed in profile from the left, the human spinal column displays two gentle C-curves at the neck and lower back (lordosis), complemented by a gentle curve going the other direction (kyphosis) in the upper back. These curves are not only entirely normal; they're actually crucial for maintaining correct vertical balance, strength and support, with the various curves working together to provide a stable vertical orientation for the body. But alignment problems can occur anywhere along the spine -- and when they do, they can change the spine's curvature. Your cervical spine may lose its natural lordosis due to:

• Injuries such as whiplash from an auto accident

• Years of poor workplace ergonomics, such as holding the head at an unnatural angle while viewing a computer monitor

• Habitual poor posture and weak neck muscles

• Progressive diseases such as osteoporosis or degenerative disc disease

• Obesity (as the extra weight pulls the neck out of alignment)

The loss of lordosis may cause the neck to appear ramrod-straight or even "reversed" in an x-ray. More important is the range of health issues this change in curvature can cause. you may experience neck pain, tingling or "pins and needles" in your arms and hands (from cervical nerve impingement), dizziness, mental confusion, tinnitus, headaches and other nasty symptoms. To make matters worse, a misalignment in one part of the spine can cause a cascade of overcompensation and discomforts in the rest of the body.

Natural Treatments for Normalizing Neck Curvature

Yorkville Chiropractic Center can get to the bottom of your lordosis issues and help you optimize your neck curvature. Chiropractic adjustment can help the cervical spine overcome even a longstanding misalignment, while spinal decompression therapy can help take the pinch off of your cervical nerve tissues, relieving those painful and disorienting neurological symptoms.

Once we start shifting your neck curvature back into the normal zone, we need to take steps to keep it that way. these steps may include ergonomic and lifestyle adjustments such as changing your computing posture and sleeping on special pillows that provide targeted support. Physical therapy may be prescribed to strengthen the muscles that support the head and neck, while weight loss solutions can eliminate obesity as a contributing factor. Contact us to learn more!