Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 3/7/2007

Question
I began seeing a new chiropractor recently after my previous one moved away. She seems to be a nice woman but sometimes I feel as if she isn't listening to anything I tell her, especially about my back problems. She took some X-rays and was surprised to see I have no curvature in my neck..it's completely straight. She told me I must have been in an accident of some sort for this to happen because necks don't just move back into a straight formation by themselves. The thing is, I have never been in an accident and have never sustained injury to my neck. My mother and my younger sister both have the same condition. However, I have not had any pain associated with this, neither have my relatives. I continue to tell her I was born like this and so was my mother and sister but she keeps telling me, "Textbook, this is only caused by an accident" Also, my hips are way out of alignment and she keeps trying to put them back into place with this little gun type instrument..and it never works.
Should I be seeing a different chiropractor, and could it be that possibly me, my sister and my mother are just born without curvature in our necks?

Answer
Dear Lindsey,

Research shows that the curve in the neck starts to form in the womb and that continues throughout childhood into our teens.  As an adult you should have a curve that measures 43 degrees for an optimal spinal configuration, but anything over 34 degrees is considered normal.  A reversal of the normal curve is always abnormal even if it is not causing any recognizable symptoms.  Over time this reversal will affect you, and has been implicated in the early onset of degenerative conditions.  It is not hereditary, but the fact that you, your sister and your mother have it is likely due to the fact that familiar behavior and activity patterns tend to be similar among relatives.

Your current chiropractor is somewhat correct in that we normally see reversed curves in patients with a severe trauma such as a car crash, but as we become more sedentary in our environments with the advent of higher learning(requires more reading and studying) as well as the amounts of television, computer work, Internet surfing and video game playing we do, our neck are placed under increased amounts of tension in a forward and downward direction.  Over time this effect can result in the reversal of the curve without a large trauma...but rather frequent and repeated mico-traumas.  This is the likely case of your reversal.  Some info to consider:

“For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol 3.

“Loss of the cervical curve stretches the spinal cord 5-7 cm and causes Disease.”  Dr. Alf Breig, Neurosurgeon (Nobel Prize Recipient)

“Forward head posture leads to long term muscle strain, disc herniations, arthritis and pinched nerves.”  The Mayo Clinic, Nov. 3rd, 2000

“90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine” Dr. Roger Sperry, (Nobel Prize Recipient for Brain Research)

Additionally, Dr. Sperry demonstrated that 90% of the energy output of the brain is used in relating the physical body to gravity.  Only 10% has to do with thinking, metabolism, and healing, so when you have forward head posture your brain will rob energy from your thinking, metabolism, and immune function to deal with abnormal gravity/posture relationships and processing.

So Lindsey, you can see why your chiropractor is concerned about the reversed neck curve, but correcting that problem can only be accomplished with specific neck traction, neck exercises and spinal adjustments that are in direct opposition to the curve.  It is a process of care that should only be initiated by a chiropractic physician who is trained and certified to do so...and since your not having any current problems, it is not something you need to address right away.  Take your time and research the techniques before implementing care specifically for the curve.  Check out www.idealspine.com and www.pettibontechnique.com for more information.

Now, you had mentioned that your hips are "way out of alignment".  This is really not a anatomical fact, that's called a dislocation and would need to be addressed at the ER.  Your chiropractor is likely describing a physiological postural problem in which your body has some rotation of the pelvis or an anatomical short leg which can only be accurately measured from a weight bearing x-ray of the femur heads (top of the thigh bones).  Using the little gun will not "put them back into place", it is used to stimulate the joint receptors by vibrating the joint capsules so that neurological signals can be sent to the brain for interpretation on your current body positions.  This aids in pain reduction and stimulation of a more appropriate posture in relation to the pelvis, but will only work if you are using some mirror image exercise as well to train the appropriate muscles in that area.   You say that her attempts at correction never work, this is an indication that you may need a better chiropractor for your concerns.  It is not that the instrument adjustments aren't any good, but it will not address muscle imbalances, myofascial issues or abnormal curvatures without some form of functional and structural physical rehabilitation included.

I think you should ask her for a specific diagnosis of your condition.  I would additionally ask to see some research that validates her opinion and scientific data on a treatment approach that has been designed to correct her specific diagnostic opinion.  If she cannot provide that, then you have problems, but at least give her the chance to address your questions appropriately first as you both may have misunderstood each other.  If she cannot adequately address your concerns, get another chiropractor who can.

If you have any further comments or questions feel free to write back.

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