Question
A year ago I began having problems with my shoulder and neck. The shoulder problem was gone after I had arthroscopic subacromial decompression, but I still have neck pain with upper trapezius spasm. I had a neck MRI and the doctor who read the MRI just told me I had mild disk degeneration but no nerve root compression or cord compression.
I been referred numerous doctors Orthopedic (2), Pain management, Neurologist and Acupuncturist. Finally I went to a Chiropractor and after he took X-rays, he told me that I have 100% loss curve in my neck. Is that possible?  And if it is, how come I抦 not in excruciating pain?  I抦 currently taking Ibuprofen 800mg twice a day and Soma 350mg twice a day. The chiropractor wants me to be in treatment for 12 months and it will cost me 2,645.00. I want to fix the problem but I want to be sure I抦 not waiting my money.  Can you please advise me?


Answer
To begin you trapezius is most likely going to continue to spasm as the trapezius muscle has a special innervation that comes from the spinal accessory nerve which is a special cranial nerve that has a brain stem component and a lower cervical spine component. So the combination of upper cervical misalignment and loss of cervical curve can create this very situation and in some cases shoulder pain as well.

As far as your 100% loss of cervical curve this is possible and in some cases the cervical curve actually bends the opposite direction this is very bad. According to most sources a normal cervical curve should be around 31-40 degrees. So a 100% loss of this curve would mean you have 0 degree cervical curvature.

Another thing to note is loss of cervical curve doesn't always cause pain. It can sometimes take many years before pain starts to develop. When things have progressed for many years you start to see degeneration of the cervical spine. So when your doctor before told you that your MRI showed mild degeneration this means you have had a problem now for many years.

Also I wanted to comment on your ibuprofen use. I want you to understand that 800mg 2x a day is a lot. Also I wanted to point out that according to the American Medical Association 113,000 people die every year from drug complications. This includes over the counter and prescription drugs.

I would recommend going to an upper cervical chiropractor, as this is someone who has the training necessary to correctly detect and correct the upper cervical misalignment. As far as the treatment plan, I don't have enough information about your case to make that determination.

Great questions if you want to know more about upper cervical chiropractic you can visit www.UpperCervicalClinicsofIdaho.com or UpCspine.com both these sites have good info.