Objective: To discuss a new approach for care of a common long-term postural deformity that results from trauma to the cervical spine, resulting in vertebral subluxations and biomechanically inefficient posture.
Clinical Features: A 48-year-old woman suffering from pain in the upper back, neck, and left arm sought chiropractic care. The incident began when she bent over to unlock the car door. Physical examination and x-rays revealed a vertebral subluxation of C1 and C2 with a severe hypolordosis of the cervical spine and forward head posture on the lateral view. Other findings included muscle spasm, edema, and severely restricted range of motion.
Intervention and outcome: The vertebral subluxation was corrected by using specific upper cervical techniques (Grostic and instrument adjusting), followed by a daily home therapy regimen of using a new extension foam cushion called the DeTensionizer™*. After 10 months, a correction in the hypolordosis was noted, and after 24 months her neck appears well stabilized.
Conclusion: Hypolordosis of the cervical spine and forward head posture can be positively approached with specific upper cervical chiropractic care and daily home extension therapy.
Author Keywords: hypolordosis, cervical spine, vertebrae, subluxation, chiropractic, posture.
This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher.
|
