Cervical spine normally has a curvature that helps to stabilize both the head and spine and maintains balance. Usually, the cervical spine is C-shaped, with the C pointing towards the back of the neck. But, sometimes, this curvature can change or it can become deeper than the normal curvature, which is known as cervical lordosis. It typically refers as an abnormal inward curvature of the neck area and such exaggerated curvature can make the head appear slightly pushed forward than its normal position. Another problem with cervical spine is straight neck, which is the name used for the condition where the normal curvature of the neck begins to straighten. The medical term for this condition is cervical kyphosis.
Cervical Lordosis Causes
Cervical lordosis can be caused by several factors. For some, it can be an inherited or congenital condition. However, most of the cases of cervical lordosis can be attributed to not maintaining correct posture and injury or trauma to the neck region. Apart from these, osteoporosis, which is characterized by the loss of mineral density of the bones can also bring about a change in the normal curvature of the cervical spine. The disease can make the bones fragile and more prone to breakage or fracture, besides weakening the vertebra to cause lordosis. Other factors that can change the normal curvature of the cervical spine are obesity and achondroplasia.
Cervical Lordosis Symptoms
Cervical lordosis is usually not accompanied by any symptom like pain. Many times the person having the condition has been observed to remain unaware of any change in the curvature of his or her neck for several years. The curvature of the cervical spine changes quite slowly. When the change is significant, then one can observe the head to look like as if it has been pushed forward, or is lying slightly below than its normal position. Rarely, a small number of individuals can experience neck pain due to cervical lordosis, only in severe cases. Pain can be caused by the compression of nerves in the neck region, due to changes in the curvature of the cervical spine.
Cervical Lordosis Treatment
The changes in the curvature of the cervical spine can be detected by the physical examination of the area. However, diagnostic tests like X-rays and MRI would be required to determine the extent of change in the curvature and whether the change is associated with any neurological condition. Generally, cervical lordosis does not require any medical treatment, unless it is of severe nature, cause lots of pain and discomfort and limit the range of motion. In such cases, pain killers can be required to reduce the pain associated with the condition. Most of the cases of cervical lordosis can be managed with the help of physical therapy and posture correction.
Braces can be used to hold the spine in proper alignment and correct its curvature. Sometimes, using support pillows can too prove quite beneficial for restoring the normal curvature of the neck. Cervical lordosis exercises on the other hand can help to strengthen the neck muscles and correct the abnormal curvature of the neck or the cervical spine. In this regard, you can practice the neck stretches and neck exercises. One such simple exercise is to bring the head and neck forward and then back. Another easy exercise is to move the neck side to side towards the shoulders.
However, a few cases of cervical lordosis may require surgery. Surgery for spinal fusion is generally considered as the last resort for treating the abnormal curvature of the cervical spine. But, the process can pose certain risks like, loss of flexibility and elasticity of the spine, which need to be considered and properly evaluated before opting for surgery. This is the reason why physicians think about surgery, only when other treatment options fail to correct the curvature of the spine. You can talk to your physician about the various treatment options for cervical lordosis to know about their benefits and complications and then decide accordingly. At the same time, do not forget to maintain the correct body posture and discuss with your physician about physical therapy or the safe exercises to correct neck posture and other problems associated with the vertebral or spinal column.
Cervical Lordosis Causes
Cervical lordosis can be caused by several factors. For some, it can be an inherited or congenital condition. However, most of the cases of cervical lordosis can be attributed to not maintaining correct posture and injury or trauma to the neck region. Apart from these, osteoporosis, which is characterized by the loss of mineral density of the bones can also bring about a change in the normal curvature of the cervical spine. The disease can make the bones fragile and more prone to breakage or fracture, besides weakening the vertebra to cause lordosis. Other factors that can change the normal curvature of the cervical spine are obesity and achondroplasia.
Cervical Lordosis Symptoms
Cervical lordosis is usually not accompanied by any symptom like pain. Many times the person having the condition has been observed to remain unaware of any change in the curvature of his or her neck for several years. The curvature of the cervical spine changes quite slowly. When the change is significant, then one can observe the head to look like as if it has been pushed forward, or is lying slightly below than its normal position. Rarely, a small number of individuals can experience neck pain due to cervical lordosis, only in severe cases. Pain can be caused by the compression of nerves in the neck region, due to changes in the curvature of the cervical spine.
Cervical Lordosis Treatment
The changes in the curvature of the cervical spine can be detected by the physical examination of the area. However, diagnostic tests like X-rays and MRI would be required to determine the extent of change in the curvature and whether the change is associated with any neurological condition. Generally, cervical lordosis does not require any medical treatment, unless it is of severe nature, cause lots of pain and discomfort and limit the range of motion. In such cases, pain killers can be required to reduce the pain associated with the condition. Most of the cases of cervical lordosis can be managed with the help of physical therapy and posture correction.
Braces can be used to hold the spine in proper alignment and correct its curvature. Sometimes, using support pillows can too prove quite beneficial for restoring the normal curvature of the neck. Cervical lordosis exercises on the other hand can help to strengthen the neck muscles and correct the abnormal curvature of the neck or the cervical spine. In this regard, you can practice the neck stretches and neck exercises. One such simple exercise is to bring the head and neck forward and then back. Another easy exercise is to move the neck side to side towards the shoulders.
However, a few cases of cervical lordosis may require surgery. Surgery for spinal fusion is generally considered as the last resort for treating the abnormal curvature of the cervical spine. But, the process can pose certain risks like, loss of flexibility and elasticity of the spine, which need to be considered and properly evaluated before opting for surgery. This is the reason why physicians think about surgery, only when other treatment options fail to correct the curvature of the spine. You can talk to your physician about the various treatment options for cervical lordosis to know about their benefits and complications and then decide accordingly. At the same time, do not forget to maintain the correct body posture and discuss with your physician about physical therapy or the safe exercises to correct neck posture and other problems associated with the vertebral or spinal column.
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