An Alternative Straight Neck Syndrome Treatment Method
What is Straight Neck Syndrome?
Straight neck syndrome is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by the absence of natural curvature along the upper cervical spine. You see, in a healthy adult, the spine is evolutionarily adapted to develop several major and minor curves, including a backwards, c-shaped curve along the neck. This c-shaped curve, known as a cervical lordosis, optimizes spinal mobility and helps the spine balance the irregular weight of the cranium. Straight neck syndrome manifests when the cervical lordosis loses all or most of its curvature. The most common causes for this condition are physical trauma at the base of the neck or long-term habituation to a forward head posture.
Straight Neck Syndrome Signs and Symptoms
Unfortunately, straight neck syndrome is an increasingly common condition, with patient diagnosis typically requiring a regional X-ray. If you think you may be suffering from straight neck syndrome, keep your eye out for the following symptoms: neck pain, postural changes, lower back and/or shoulder pain, tingling or numbness along the spine, more frequent headaches, and general concentration issues.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Straight Neck Syndrome
Contrary to many of the conditions we encounter, the relationship between the upper cervical spine and straight neck syndrome is relatively easy to understand. Because the cervical lordosis extends along the upper cervical spine, it is uniquely vulnerable to trauma-induced misalignments in the upper cervical vertebra, Similarly, if you’re someone who is constantly tilting your head forwards and down (i.e. looking at a mobile phone), your postural habits can pull the scalene muscles of your neck into a abnormal position, enflaming the surrounding musculature and disrupting the natural curvature of the cervical lordosis.
How Our Straight Neck Syndrome Treatment Works
At Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Las Vegas, our treatment program for straight neck syndrome aims to not only alleviate the symptoms of the condition, but also remedy its underlying causes. To achieve this result, Dr. Kramer, our expert in-house chiropractor, will use a combination of a digital X-ray and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to analyze your upper cervical spine for misalignments. If an abnormality is detected, Dr Kramer will perform a series of targeted, painless adjustments to restore alignment to the affected vertebra, reducing local inflammation and removing the direct impediment to a c-shaped cervical lordosis and thereby a healthy neck posture.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution to straight neck syndrome, we can help! To book your free introductory consultation with Dr. Kramer, click here or call (702) 202-0808 to get in touch with our friendly customer support team. We offer straight neck syndrome treatment in Las Vegas, Clark County, and the neighboring states of California, Arizona, and Utah.