Question
I recently read your response regarding the subject "Cervical Spine Straightening" causes.  The cause was not easily gleaned from your response, I believe it was something similar to Whiplash??  At any rate, I have been going my Chiropractor for 6 years, and I was recently diagnosed with this condition by a medical doctor.  I saw him because my left arm became numb when I would lean in certain positions.  Wouldn't he/shouldn't he have known this?  We have not evaluated my case via X-ray since I first arrived on his doorstep.  Should this have been done? He now recommends my coming in for treatment 3 days a week, instead of my usual once a week maintenance regime.  Should I trust him?  He was able to get me off all pain medicine since I have been going, but I just don't know if I have worn out my welcome.

Answer
Cervical Spine Straightening, Military neck, reduced cervical lordosis, cervical kyphosis, reversed cervical curve, whiplash, cervical acceleration/ deceleration, cervical sprain/strain,





Hello Maria,

I am sorry to hear of your pain and symptoms.

I am sorry to hear of your straightened cervical spine.

"....The cause was not easily gleaned from your response, I believe it was something similar to Whiplash??....";  I am sorry my explanation was not clear.  I will try to do better. Cervical spine straightening can be caused by a great many things.  Some doctors think the straightening is not significant, others think the straightening, or worse yet- the reversal of a curve is very significant.  'Whiplash' can cause straightening or even reversal.  Sleeping on your stomach (an improper position) can cause straightening or even reversal.   Think about the equation:  if you have a 'whiplash', cervical sprain/ strain, cervical hyperflexion/hyperextension injury, cervical acceleration/ deceleration injury; this equals a LOT of force over a second in time,,,,,,,, if you sleep on your stomach; this equals a little bit of force over LOTS of time!  the equation can be equal!

A slip, trip, fall can cause a whiplash type movement with resultant curve reduction or reversal.

You state you have been going to a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) for six years- and did not know of the straightened curve?  When the Doctor does Xrays, does he draw chiropractic lines on the film, show you the film, explain the films?  You should have had initial Xrays at your DCs, and then- given periodic Xray exams, especially if there were any aggravations/ exacerbations/ new trauma.

The doctor who is giving you chiropractic adjustments certainly should have been aware of the straightened curve, should have discussed this with you.  Did you have a new injury/ trauma/ exacerbation?-  A new injury, new complaint certainly necessitates a new Xray exam.  Did you communicate increased pain/ symptoms to your DC recently?, did you communicate a new injury?

You only took Xrays upon initial examination?- did these Xrays show lessened cervical curvature?
Can we compare the old Xrays to the NEW Xrays?  is there change?

Did your DC discuss a curve change with you 6 years ago?

I am very surprised that the Medical Doctor noted a straightened cervical curve.  The VAST majority of MEDICAL doctors will tell you curves are not significant.  Even CHIROPRACTIC doctors debate the importance of the spinal curves.  

If your chiropractic doctor did not discuss the importance of spinal curves with you, I would say- get a new chiropractic doctor.  If this curve is changing for the worse since the old Xrays to the new; I would get a new chiropractic doctor.  If this straightened curve is evident on the OLD and NEW Xrays without a change; I would get a different chiropractic doctor.

There are many answers/ opinions on straightened even reversed cervical curves here at allexperts.com:

Does not believe curves are important: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/2009/6/Reversed-Cervical-Curve-Scol...

Does think the curve is important: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/loss-curve-neck.htm

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/Neck-Pain-6.htm

Does think the curve is important:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/Cervical-subluxation.htm

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/2008/8/Cervical-spine-STRAIGHT.htm



You state: "....He was able to get me off all pain medicine since I have been going, but I just don't know if I have worn out my welcome.....", and this is a good thing.  Please read this handout I utilize in my Staten Island Chiropractic office about pain medication:





PAIN     


Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?

Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   

Pain,  
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?


         NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.  These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.


Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.

Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.

The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
       Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Getting you off the pain meds is a good thing.

Not discussing your cervical curve problem in the chiropractic doctors office is not a good thing.

Having a medical doctor point out the importance of the cervical curve is a surprising thing.

Based upon what you have told me, I have mixed feelings about your current Doctor of Chiropractic- it is great he/she got you off of possibly dangerous medications; it is not good he/she did not discuss or know about your cervical curve.

Perhaps you or the doctor are taking the treatment for granted; maybe you can re-invigorate your communication with this doctor---- if you still feel comfortable there.  If you do not feel comfortable, then I would move on to a different chiropractic doctor.  You may even look for a Doctor of Chiropractic with additional credentials ( see:  http://www.acatoday.org/pdf/ApprovedChiropracticSpecialtyPrograms.pdf )


I hope this helps.

If you need further information, do not hesitate to RE-contact me at:
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm

Good Luck,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP
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