Why You Need That Cervical Curve

Headaches and neck pain image.

You may not think about it as we do, but the natural curves that occur in the four different regions of your spinal column help to balance your body as well as prevent injury.

The curve that should be present in the upper part of the spinal column, called the cervical spine, is a lordotic curve. When viewed from the side, this is a forward curve.

Injury or uncorrected trauma can cause the cervical spine to straighten and lose this vital lordotic curve. This is known as cervical kyphosis and can progress to the point where a reverse curve is formed. Even a slight reduction in the normal lordotic curvature can produce subtle or more obvious health problems.

The causes of cervical kyphosis can include:
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Congenital Kyphosis that appears at birth
  • Trauma, such as whiplash from an auto accident
  • Injury from a medical procedure

Symptoms can range in severity from mild discomfort and headaches, to decreased range of motion in the neck and in the most severe cases, paralysis.

Neck pain may be common, but it’s not normal. If you’re experiencing any type of neck pain, please call our practice to schedule a thorough examination. Chiropractors are specially trained to locate abnormalities in the spinal column and are quite successful in improving proper spinal curves. We would love to help you or someone you know.

Dr. Nicholson Asks some important questions of interest to Fulton residents - Chiropractor Fulton Dr. Nicholson Asks...

Can someone who has had back surgery receive chiropractic care?
Yes. Rest assured that we will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. However, what we find is that surgical interventions will often produce spinal instability above or below the involved level. This is will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
What's the difference between a "good" drug and a "bad" drug?
As a chiropractor, I see the use of many drugs (legal or illegal) as merely symptom treating. Worse, virtually every drug produces unwanted effects. The effects of chiropractic are largely positive effects. If you're a Fulton parent, consider carefully before giving your child a cough medication, cold remedy or pain reliever so this sort of question doesn't arise in the first place.