Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 3/2/2008

Question
I would appreciate your advice regarding a persistent popping sound I hear

when turning my head to the right and then to the left.

      The problem began one morning six weeks ago when I woke up to a stiff

neck and a feeling of pressure behind my head. A co-worker attempted to

help me by cracking my neck, which resulted in a second of pain that quickly

subsided. It was on the following morning that the popping sound began,

always when I turn my head to the right and back forward. The sound seems

to emanate from the same spot time after time.

      In the weeks that followed, I consulted with two chiropractors who

informed me that my cervical column was misaligned and manipulated my

neck accordingly. There was no improvement.

      One of the chiropractors then took an x-ray and told me that I was

afflicted with a cervical curvature of the spine, or cervical kyphosis. I am

unsure if this is the cause of the popping noise, or if it is a second, unrelated

issue.

      I am now receiving twice-weekly neck treatments from this chiropractor,

and I have been told this regimen should last a period of one month. As I

write this letter to you, I’m halfway through the treatment with no letup in the

popping.

      Frankly, this is driving me to distraction, and I’d be interested in your

recommendation(s) regarding my problem and potential chiropractic and/or

medical avenues of treatment.

      I’m sure it would be helpful to know that I am a 38-year-old female, and

I work as a hair stylist. This means I am on my feet all day, and my arms are

often raised about shoulder height.

      Thank you.



      Regards,

      Mai Loan Vivian

Answer
Dear Mai Loan,

Unfortunately, you most likely tore and injured the cartilage that lines the joints in the neck when you let a co-worker "pop" your neck. Often when the joint space is jammed together, small pieces of cartilage fracture or actually get torn off the joint space.  Conversely, the joint capsule, which is a ligamentous structure, can be damaged which may result in appreciable pain over the neck and upper back.  

These tissues are notoriously slow to heal because of their poor blood supply and lack of nutrition delivery after damage has occurred. Often the new collagen formation will take up to 6 months time just to attain 70% functional improvement and full resolution can take up to 2 years.  This was not a smart decision, and you are very lucky that they didn't dislocate your neck or damage the nerves that exit the spine.  Please do not ever let anyone but a chiropractic physician try to adjust the spine.

Now, the adjustments that you are now receiving will help to improve proper joint functioning, however, you will likely experience the crepitus for awhile.  It is important to maintain your joint mobility so that the tissue are actively going through normal motion.  This is important for proper scar tissue formation and to increase functional strength around the joint space. So I recommend that you continue to have the neck adjusted when fixation occurs.

As stated above, these types of injuries require longer time to heal, and you will need to supplement your diet with some nutritional supplements to help repair the damage.  I would recommend that you begin supplementing with a comprehensive vitamin C complex, glucosamine sufate, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), bioflavanoids and multiple anti-inflammatory enzymes to aid in collagen formation, cartilaginous joint repair, and to reduce inflammation.  A comprehensive antioxidant formula would be a bonus.  It may sound like a lot, but you can get all of this in only a few products.  When patients come to see me for ligament, cartilage and tendon injuries, I make it mandatory that they take these supplements to optimize healing and proper scar formation for a minimum of 6 months and suggest that they do it for up to 1 year.

I highly recommend a few products from a company called Ideal Health because the company exceeds the highest  regulation standards in the United States and meets the highest international standards.  You can order from their website at www.idealhealth.com , and the products I would recommend for you are the FLEXCAPS and  IDEAL C-PLUS.  The OPTIGREENS formula would be the bonus antioxidant complex. You may need a referral to complete the order, and you can use my name or my clinic number if you wish (5582806).

Now, if you want to address the kyphotic nature of the curve, which is a complete reversal from the normal curve, this cannot be addressed with spinal adjustments alone.  Specific exercise protocols will need to be implemented along with directional traction or head weighting.  This is the only proven way to change the shape of the spine with lasting results.  Although these treatment protocols have been well documented to regain the lost structure of the neck but require a physician who has been properly trained to perform them.  

The techniques are called Chiropractic Biophysics, and Pettibon Techniques.  To find a chiropractic physician who has been certified in structural rehab of the spine, check out www.idealspine.com or www.pettibonsystem.com.  Both of these sites have a physician listing where you can see if they have been certified or are in the process of certification.

Good Luck Mai Loan.  If you have any further comments or questions, or need help ordering from Ideal Health, feel free to write me back.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net