What does curvature of the neck mean?
A cervical curvature is an important aspect of spinal biomechanics as it supports the head. Once that curve is lost and the body tries to compensate by straightening the neck, the thoracic spine also becomes straighter and abnormal curvatures are introduced.
What is the normal curvature of the neck?
Lordotic. This is a normal, healthy curvature in the neck—which is about 42 degrees when standing upright. Think of it as a c-shaped curve that faces the opposite way your nose points.
What causes neck curvature?
Common Causes of Cervical Lordosis These include traumatic injury, poor posture, obesity, osteoporosis, and conditions like degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis. Lordosis can also occur as a result of inherited conditions like achondroplasia (dwarfism) or certain neuromuscular disorders.
Can a reverse curve in the neck be corrected?
Over time, a sedentary lifestyle, constant sitting and the use of electronic devices can alter your normal spinal curvature, causing pain and inhibiting fluid movement. Physical therapy and chiropractic care can help restore your neck curvature to reduce pain and promote healthy posture.
What happens if your neck is straight instead of curved?
When the neck becomes straight also known as ‘flat neck’ or ‘military neck’ then serious issues can evolve such as spinal compression and degeneration. It would also influence your load-carrying capacity and the increased stress may cause abnormal curves to develop.
Should neck be curved?
A normal neck has a gentle curve to it, the degree of which can vary according to the position you are in. But should you lose this curve, through injury, misalignment that is sustained over a long period of time, or for another reason, you may find the rest of your body’s posture is affected, too.
Is having a straight neck serious?
What happens if you have an abnormal neck curve?
Those who have an abnormal neck curve will experience: Loss of range of motion and flexibility (ie the ability to turn/rotate or flex your head and neck) Acute and Chronic Neck Pain including headaches, muscle spasms, “cricks” in the neck, fatigue and irritability
How is lordotic curve related to flat neck syndrome?
A decreasing lordotic curve is not the only characteristic of flat neck syndrome. There can also be increased flexion (forward bending) at the joint between the skull and the first bone of the neck. The excessive bending at this location exaggerates extension through the cervical spine and all of the spinal structures below.
How does flat neck syndrome affect the spine?
A decreasing lordotic curve is not the only characteristic of flat neck syndrome. There can also be increased flexion (forward bending) at the joint between the skull and the first bone of the neck. 1 The excessive bending at this location exaggerates extension through the cervical spine and all of the spinal structures below.
How to get rid of a reverse cervical curve?
The patient will want to: 1 Use a little bit of light traction in the neck, by draping the mid or lower neck over a paper towel roll,… 2 Stretch the minor and major pectoral muscles daily, and even get deep tissue massage… 3 Practice at-home postural corrective exercises that pull the shoulder blades back and strengthen…