The cervical spine is unique among spinal curves. Unlike its fellow thoracic and lumbar curves, the cervical spine houses the spinal cord a bit more snugly. The diameter of the vertebral canal in which the
spinal cord lies ranges from 11 to 19 mm while the spinal cord measures from 7
to 14 mm depending on the spine level. If the size of the spinal canal is small and the cord big, a condition termed stenosis exists and makes pain and disability a greater problem. (4-8) Whatever
the size, there is not a lot
of space for the spinal nerves that leave the spinal cord regardless
of any disc herniation or bone spur and such that
may form. Plus, the cervical spine has to support
the average head weighing 9 pounds! The cervical spine is amazing.
No wonder it appeals to researchers and anatomists
and chiropractors like yours at Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC and triggers
such pain for La Grande neck pain sufferers. Luckily,
your La Grande chiropractor knows the cervical spine
anatomy and potential painful cervical conditions as well as the gentle, stretching
technique protocols of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management
to relieve the pain.
RESEACHERS STUDY THE CERVICAL SPINE MOTIONS
Such cool developments in the field
of radiology are now available and may help back pain healthcare
providers like your La Grande chiropractor more beneficially
diagnose and care for neck pain and surgical
colleagues create more suitable surgical
techniques! Innovative 3D computed tomography imaging allows
a look at the cervical spine in different
positions in normal volunteers. What did the researchers find happens in
the neck with this? Flexion-extension range of motion is greatest at C1-2
and C4-5. C1-2 is where 70% of all axial
rotation takes place, too. C3-4 range of motion for lateral
bending is greater than C1-2, C5-6 and C6-7. (1) Using Cox® Technic for cervical spine pain is designed for
segment-specific treatment of individual segment cervical
spine ranges of motion to ease pain and bring back
normal ranges of motion as optimally as possible.
CERVICAL SPINE TREATMENT FOR CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE
The cervical spine range of motion is involved
in patients with cervicogenic headache. When La Grande chiropractic
patients come in with a headache, they’ll
often describe limited range of motion. That
isn’t unusual. A randomized control trial of spinal
manipulation versus spinal mobilization for relief of
cervicogenic headache reported that manipulation and mobilization
have similar effects on disability, pain, global rating of
change score, and cervical ranges of motion. (2) Our chiropractic care of the
cervical spine treats La Grande neck
pain as well as related range of motion issues like acute neck
pain.
SPINAL MANIPULATION FOR ACUTE NECK PAIN
Acute La Grande neck pain is a common
issue for which patients will seek help
from healthcare practitioners like chiropractors and general
practitioners (GPs). Medications and/or manual therapy are usual
treatments. Researchers wrote that GPs were sometimes
hesitant to refer for manual therapy
as they weren’t sure about effectiveness and adverse events. In
a review of randomized controlled trials published regarding the
effect of spinal manipulation for acute neck pain, researchers found
that spinal manipulation alone or combined with other modalities
was valuable for acute neck pain with no serious adverse effects being reported. (3) Your
La Grande chiropractor who understands the cervical spine
well and provides safe spinal manipulation works with
La Grande general practitioners to assist neck pain
sufferers find relief.
CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
Check out this PODCAST
with Dr. David Kulla on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes
how the Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction System of Spinal Pain Management helps
him help his patients with neck pain and headache relief.
Make your La Grande
chiropractic appointment now. The uniqueness of the cervical
spinal curve and the pain conditions affecting it deserve
a unique treatment protocol to ease pain. At
Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC, that protocol is safe, gentle, and effective!