Question
I've been told that my cervical spine is straight - it doesn't have the natural curve.  I have seen the xrays.  I was told this several years ago, and again more recently.  My "holding" pattern for stress is normally my left shoulder into my neck.  I  have never been in a car accident or had any traumatic injury that I can remember.  I understand that chiropractic manipulation can help restore this to its natural curve.  However, I am not able to afford chiropractic services right now.  We are in dire straights.  Is there anything I can do for myself that could help restore the natural curve?  Exercise, sleep pillow, etc?

Answer
Dear Karen,

Rehabilitation of the spine to include remodeling the cervical spine has been the topic of many research papers.  In fact there are specific techniques in chiropractic formulated around the restructuring of lost curves in the spine.  Over the last twenty years, two of these techniques have risen to the top because they have frequently gotten favorable results and have been proven successful in follow-up radiographs.  They are Chiropractic Biophysics and Pettibon technique.  Both of these techniques have found that you cannot regain a lost curve with spinal adjustments alone, and you need to incorporate resistance exercises and or traction to attain measurable and lasting improvements.  I would recommend that you research them both.

www.idealspine.com
www.pettibontechnique.com

YES...there are things you can do at home such as utilizing an orthopedic pillow (cervical pillow) to support the normal curve while sleeping at night.  I would further suggest a device called the posture pump manufactured by a company called Posture Pro.  The posture pump can be purchased online for about $200.00 and utilizes expanding ellipsoidal traction of the neck to help restore the curve and reduce degeneration...you may be able to find inexpensive used ones on Ebay or somewhere else.  I use these for home care with my patients often, and they are easy to implement and understand.  

Hope this helps Karen.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net