Question
QUESTION: Hello, first off I appreciate you being a part of this site.ok so I am 25 yr old female. I have reverse curvature of my neck by -42 degrees last time I was x-rayed 2 years ago an 2 years before that it  was -25 degrees. I also have joint pains that come and go and joint stiffness new symptoms include scalp pain and thinning hair. I am wondering if you have any suggestions on this,if it could all be related and advise on treatment options. I was diagnosed with lupus but after I had my son they redid an A.N.A. and it came back normal so they undiagnosed me. Since I am so young and otherwise healthy I can't find a Dr. to take me seriously. Thank you for your time. I feel as if my neck is increasingly getting worse. How potentially serious are these issues? Should I be concerned?

ANSWER: Dawn,

You do have a very serious situation at hand. The reversal of your cervical curve is quite extreme and as rapidly as your curve changed I think it is imperative that you consult with a chiropractor. I do not opine that all of your symptoms are stemming from your reversed curve and that you must have some metabolic deficiencies occurring. These will have to be diagnosed through a functional blood  chemistry labs. The difference between traditional blood lab work/diagnosis  and functional blood work is that the practitioner tries to help you nutritionally so that your blood levels are in a functional range rather than just within the accepted levels. For example whatever your blood work is let's just say the range is 85-145. A functional blood work range would be the middle most numbers let's say  for this example we would want you at 105-125. This can make a huge difference. This is difficult to understand unless you can compare a functional readout compared to a traditional readout.

Also I would check intot he health of your Thyroid gland due to the thinning hair. You also should have your estrogen levels checked as well as your testosterone levels. (Both males and females produce Estrogen and testosterone and obviously these are at specific levels for age and sex of the patient)

In the meantime while at home you can roll up a towel and put it behind your neck and lay on the towel on a carpeted area. Do this for 15-20 mins 2X daily.

Start with a towel and fold it in half the long way. Then you will need a wooden dowel (about the size of a roll of quarters)Place this dowel on the towel and roll the towel as tightly and neatly as possible. Once rolled up place two rubber bands one at each end so that it just does not unravel each time you use it.

Some important facts:
1) The towel roll is to big if you don't feel that your head is tilted backwards. You will need to adjust the towel size by cutting off some of the length.
2) Place towel more towards your upper back rather than the middle of the neck.
3) If your head is touching the floor then the roll is too small and you will need a bigger towel.
4) Do this on a carpeted area or on an exercise mat on the floor.
5) Frequency is more important than how long you lie on the neck roll. 2 15-20 minute sessions should do the trick. Longer is not better so don't lie on the roll for 30 -60 minutes.
6) You may not be ready for 15-20 min sessions at first and you may have to build up at 5 minute increments.
7) Slight discomfort is OK in the beginning but this should decrease as your body adapts. DO NOT OVERDO.
8) Once you become accustomed to this traction you can lie cross-wise on your bed and situate yourself at the edge of the mattress so that your head hags off the bed and then position the towel at the lower neck and upper back. This is more intense than just lying on the floor.
9) Any dizziness and you must immediately stop. Eventually you may be able to work your way into this type of traction but be cautious. (long periods of traction is not better:Frequency is)
10)Over the door traction is a no no for you.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR MUCH NEEDED CHIROPRACTIC/MEDICAL CARE. FROM THE HISTORY YOU PRESENTED ME YOU WILL NEED TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH A CHIROPRACTIC EXAM AND TREATMENT. THIS WILL NOT CURE YOUR NECK PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR TREATMENT.

I sincerely hope this information is helpful.
Dr John Q Quackenbush

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I do have one follow up question: What could cause such an extreme reversal so rapidly?
I will be taking your advice and thank you for all your help!

Answer
Dawn,

Two years is a long time when your are talking about your health!!! I would go ahead and get x rays of your mid back and lower back to rule out any other problems such as scoliosis.
The human body is amazing and in my 29 years of dealing with the spine I have seen some remarkable things that occur. Maybe you will repair just as quickly and wouldn't that be awesome.

I am glad you will be following through.

Yours in health
John Quackenbush

Dawn,

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