Failed Neck
Surgery Helped by Chiropractic
The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research
published a study on May 18, 2017, documenting
the improvement of neck pain and migraines in a
patient who had previously undergone neck
surgery. Although some people are apprehensive
about seeing a chiropractor after having had
spinal surgery, this study and many others,
along with thousands of clinical accounts,
demonstrate that many people who have had spinal
surgery receive benefit from chiropractic care.
This
study begins by discussing the importance of a
normal forward curve in the neck. A normal curve
not only helps the neck absorb shock, but helps
the head be in a more normal upright position.
The authors wrote, "The loss of cervical
lordosis and anterior head posture has long been
identified with numerous significant health
issues. These health issues include cervical,
shoulder, and headache pain. The loss of
cervical curvature also causes anatomical
changes to the cervical spine including a
shortening of the anterior or posterior
vertebral column."
A loss of the normal cervical curve can also
result in long-term degenerative issues. The
study points out, "The loss of cervical curve
results in degenerative changes to the cervical
vertebrae and discs. This degenerative process
has been shown to be the result of poor posture,
prolonged periods of sitting, sedentary
lifestyle, and obesity. When the cervical
curvature is lost, these degenerative changes
can lead to an early increased rate of
degeneration and associated cervical pain."
In this case, a 43-year-old woman went to the
chiropractor for help with long-term neck pain
and stiffness. Over the past 11 years, she had
also been suffering with frequent and severe
migraines, sleep deprivation, shoulder pain and
weight issues. In her history, she noted a past
car accident and that her work requires her to
stand for 10 hours a day which she believe
contributes to fatigue and poor posture.
Her medical history for her pain included
steroids and other medications. Additionally,
she had spinal surgery where a disc was removed
at the level of her 5th and
6th cervical
vertebrae, and a fusion was performed.
Unfortunalty, these medical approaches did not
give the woman any relief. Because of this, she
considered chiropractic as her last resort.
A chiropractic examination was performed which
included a detailed postural analysis and spinal
x-rays. Based upon the findings, specific
chiropractic care was started appropriate to the
patient's condition and her surgical history.
After 36 visits, an update comparison was
performed and revealed that the woman's neck
curve had shown a significant 12 degree
improvement. Additionally, she reported that she
felt improvements in her neck and upper back
pain, an increase in her energy level, and an
improvement in the frequency, duration, and
severity of migraine headaches. Overall, she
noted that she felt improvement in the
activities of her daily life.
In explaining the results in their conclusion,
the authors wrote, "Loss of cervical curve and
other postural distortions result in adverse
mechanical tension and distortion of tissue.
This adverse mechanical tension leads to
degeneration of vertebral discs and facet
joints." They continued, "In this case study,
the patient's posture and spinal alignment were
corrected and as a result, the cervical lordosis
and left head translation were improved."
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