Neck Pain

Correlation between Cervical Lordosis and Cervical Disc Herniation in young patients with Neck Pain
PUBLISHED: Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Aug;98(31):e16545. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016545. PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31374017
AUTHORS: Gao K, Zhang J, Lai J, Liu W, Lyu H, Wu Y, Lin Z, Cao Y.
RESULTS: The degree of disc herniation was higher in the straight and kyphosis groups compared to the lordosis group.
With the improvement of cervical lordotic curvature, the degree of disc herniation decreased and height of disc space increased.
CONCLUSIONS: The degree of disc herniation and cervical spinal cord compression are inversely correlated to cervical lordosis in young neck pain patients, and the degree of disc herniation and height of disc space can recover with the recovery of cervical lordotic curvature.

Addition of a Sagittal Cervical Posture Corrective Orthotic Device to a Multimodal Rehabilitation Program Improves Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Discogenic Cervical Radiculopathy
PUBLISHED: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 Dec;97(12):2034-2044. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2016.07.022. Epub 2016 Aug 27. Pub Med: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27576192
AUTHORS: Moustafa IM, Diab AA, Taha S, Harrison DE.
CONCLUSIONS: The addition of the Denneroll cervical orthotic device to a multimodal program positively affected discogenic CR outcomes at long-term follow-up.
We speculate that improved cervical lordosis and reduced AHT contributed to our findings.

The efficacy of Cervical Lordosis rehabilitation for nerve root function, pain, and segmental motion in Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy
PUBLISHED: PhysioTherapy 2011; 97 Supplement: 846-847. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258226733
AUTHORS: Moustafa IM, Diab AM, Ahmed A, Harrison DE.
CONCLUSIONS: Improved lordosis in the study group was associated with significant improvements in nerve root function, VAS rating, and translational and rotational motions of the lower cervical spine.
Only in the study group were the results maintained at long-term follow up.
IMPLICATIONS: Appropriate physical rehabilitation for Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy should include cervical sagittal curve correction, as it is may to lead greater and longer lasting improved function.

Does improvement towards a normal Cervical Sagittal configuration aid in the management of Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome
PUBLISHED: BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2018 Nov 12;19(1):396. doi: 10.1186/s12891-018-2317-y. Pub Med: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30419868
AUTHORS: Moustafa IM, Diab AA, Hegazy F, Harrison DE.
CONCLUSION: The addition of the denneroll cervical orthotic to a multimodal program positively affected chronic myofascial cervical pain syndrome (CMCPS) outcomes at long term follow up.

Prospective, Randomised, Double-Blind Clinical Study evaluating the correlation of Clinical Outcomes and Cervical Sagittal Alignment
PUBLISHED: Neurosurgery. 2011 May;68(5):1309-16; discussion 1316. doi: 10.1227/NEU.0b013e31820b51f3. PUB MED: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21792113
AUTHORS: Villavicencio AT, Babuska JM, Ashton A, Busch E, Roeca C, Nelson EL, Mason A, Burneikiene S.
RESULTS: Patients who had maintained or improved segmental sagittal alignment, regardless of graft type, achieved a higher degree of improvement in Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary and Neck Disability Index scores. This was statistically significant (P < .038).
CONCLUSION: Maintaining a consistent segmental sagittal alignment or increasing segmental lordosis was related to a higher degree of improvement in clinical outcomes.
Spinal Centre Note: Appears surgeons are picking up what Chiropractic BioPhysics practitioners have been talking about. Well done.

Decreased Vertebral Artery Haemodynamics in Patients with Loss of Cervical Lordosis
Published: Med Sci Monit. 2016 Feb 15;22:495-500. Referenced in Pub Med: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26876295
Authors: Bulut MD, Alpayci M, Şenköy E, Bora A, Yazmalar L, Yavuz A1, Gülşen İ.
BACKGROUND: Because loss of cervical lordosis leads to disrupted biomechanics, the natural lordotic curvature is considered to be an ideal posture for the cervical spine. The vertebral arteries proceed in the transverse foramen of each cervical vertebra.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed a significant association between loss of cervical lordosis and decreased vertebral artery hemodynamics, including diameter, flow volume, and peak systolic velocity.

Congratulations To Ilja
It is not just about the pain you are in; it is the impact it has on your life.
One of our fantastic patients, Ilja placed first in a recent golf tournament. Braving some terrible conditions he won first place in +3 par competition. Still a fair bit of work to do but happy with how he played.
The smiling chap above is a long way from the severely stressed patient that first attended the Practice with chronic neck pain and disability.
It is not just about the pain you are in; it is the impact it has on your life. You become the limitations of your injury as opposed to living a life you want to live.