What is neck curve?
The ideal neck curve is 33 degrees. Simply put; the neck curve should be shaped like a C or a banana. The neck curve is also known as cervical lordosis. The apex of the curve is forward facing; meaning it should be towards your nose when looking from a side profile. (see picture below - top left)
What’s so important about it though? Why do so many people who are suffering from pain happens to also have a compromised neck curve?
1. Spinal Support: The neck curve helps balance the weight of the head and provides support to the cervical spine. It helps distribute the forces and pressures experienced by the neck during various activities, reducing the risk of strain or injury.
2. Shock Absorption: The natural curve of the neck acts as a shock absorber, cushioning the impact of everyday movements and activities such as walking, running, and jumping. This helps protect the delicate structures of the cervical spine, including the vertebrae, discs, nerves, and muscles.
3. Range of Motion: The neck curve allows for a greater range of motion, enabling us to turn, tilt, and flex our heads comfortably. It facilitates smooth movement and flexibility, which are essential for daily activities like driving, looking around, and maintaining eye contact.
4. Nerve Function: The cervical curve helps maintain proper alignment of the spinal nerves, which exit the spinal cord through small openings in the vertebrae called intervertebral foramina. A healthy neck curve helps ensure optimal nerve function, promoting efficient communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
5. Postural Alignment: The neck curve contributes to overall postural alignment. When the neck curve is properly maintained, it helps align the head, neck, and spine in a neutral position, minimizing stress on the surrounding structures and reducing the risk of chronic pain, headaches, and other postural issues.
Trauma can potentially be the biggest affect to the natural curve of the neck. Injuries like whiplash or direct impact can cause misalignment; resulting in a loss of the normal curve. The five things listed above can potentially be all affected; not only in the neck but in the rest of the spine as well. See picture below; only one xray represents a normal neck curve - left upper corner. The rest of the neck xrays exhibit a compromised spine subject to varying ailing symptoms. With activities of daily living compounding onto a misaligned spine; pain and neurological symptoms can arise.
Have you been living with symptoms? Do you want to see if you are a candidate to benefit from NUCCA? Contact us for your consultation.
For more information check out: My Misalignment
TMD Vs Neck. Which came first? Dr. Yu speaks at Dental Seminar
Neck pain. TMJ pain. Which came first? Do they relate? Dr. Yu explains
I recently had the privilage of speaking to a group of extremely open minded (+ like minded) dentists in Jindabyne, Australia. Its a rare opportunity and I’m ever so grateful to be able to share my craft with them to an ailment that many have considered as a pain that no one seems to understand. I follow a discussion group on FB about TMJ/TMD. The agony and pain that I see people post have the common denominator of frustration. Much of that frustration is a combination of 1. not being able to find the root cause, 2. having tried “everything” without avail, 3. their provider not BELIEVING their pain. That last one is a tough one to swallow. I always tell my patients from the start of our consultation; “Whatever you feel, however big, however small; is ALWAYS true to you. No one else feels what you feel. Do not let anyone tell you HOW you should feel.” After that little schpeel is out of the way. I often see a sigh of relief followed by a smile. For some, there’s years of that internal dialogue that needs to be torn down in order for that self confidence of reading and knowing one’s body to be firmly in place. If you’re still reading this, which I am hoping that you are. This is the first step in healing.
On to the topic at hand. Many who complains of TMJ issues often complains of neck tension as well. Some even have headaches on top of that. When there are different pains happening simultaneously; which one is primary? Is one leading to the next? Can they possibly be (in this scenario) 3 separate issues?
Which came first?
The CHICKEN? or the EGG?
Wellllllll….its more complicated than that. Someone who had their teeth knocked out (I know…extreme example) and had a reconstruction and developed TMD will be very different of a case compared to someone who had a fender bender and developed TMD a year or two after. Another big part of the equation is developmental. How’s airway, how did the mandible and maxilla develop, had there been orthodontic work?
No 2 case histories are alike; like a unique snowflake. Regardless of the initiating events; the current problems at hand are TMD and neck tension. What I can provide are 2 key foundational components.
That bite’s influence on the neck/spine. Here’s an interesting study on it: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7842106_The_Influence_of_an_Experimentally-Induced_Malocclusion_On_Vertebral_Alignment_in_Rats_A_Controlled_Pilot_Study
It a 2005 study, so this fact of bite positioning afflicting the spine has been around for a while. In the study, a group of rats were subjected to bite malocclusion. (even if you’re reading my summary here, please click on the article’s link to see the photo as it profoundly speak a thousand words). A rat was photographed at “normal” - nothing has yet to be manipulated. Then it was photographed with composites on a tooth to create a misalignment of the bite. When the misalignment occurred; changes to the spine was the result. Lastly, the bite was manipulated to be balanced; and the spine was once again balanced as well.
YES! The bite is a very important factor. But its not the only one. Stay tuned for Part 2.
Sharing ideas and demonstrating how the bite influences the neck. It is only via discussions and learning that we can help people in our communities.
Covering the symptom? or getting to the cause?
fix the cause to fix the symptoms. There’s a time and place for bandaids. When the upper neck is off balance, the posture will compensate that leads to pain and symptoms.
With a cut; the first things I would do is to clean the area, put antiseptic on, and then bandage. Its an order of things that we follow. Just like putting socks first before the shoes. Those examples are no brainers. But what if there’s an object lodged within the cut. I would then have to remove the source to prevent an infection.
Now, let’s get more complicated than that. What happens when we have a headache, neck pain, or back ache? If there are no obvious causes, then we do we usually do? Exercise? Massage? And/Or take pain killers? Abuse of opioids has been a hot topic in the recent decade and for good reason. Its an epidemic that has destroyed many lives. Please don’t get me wrong. I believe there’s a time and place for everything. A firefighter would be the first to call if there’s a fire and a plumber would be the one to fix a broken water pipe. Don’t send a plumber in to do a firefighter’s job. When there is a misalignment of the upper neck, the body bio-mechanically compensates by distorting the spine. This can lead to pain and symptoms. Would repeated dosage of pain killers fix the underlying cause? or is it treating merely the symptoms? Until the bio-mechanical distortion is addressed, the symptoms naturally will continue.
Biggest Stressor on the Human Body?
What’s the biggest stressor to the human body? How is this stressor a culprit of our aches and pains?
There probably has not been a need for you to think about the question: What is the biggest stressor on the body? But knowing the answer can be a HUGE “ah-HA!” moment for your health & wellness. In this day and age of fast paced society + technology, the typical answer to said question would be…Fast food/diet? Work? Financial stress? However, this answer rise above all the other correct answers. *drum roll* Its GRAVITY! You’re probably thinking…what on earth? How does Newton’s falling apple have any association with biggest stressor on the human body? Well, if you can imagine the downward pressure of gravity on an object, then you can imagine a force pulling your head straight down towards the earth. Think about you (representing gravity) and a soda can as the human body. If you’re trying to crush it with a vertical - straight down force…it is actually a bit more difficult than if there’s already a twist in the soda can. So if your atlas is misaligned, then it cannot support the weight of the head with its centre of gravity. The head “kinking” off at an angle would then create a twist in the spine much like that of a twisted soda can. This becomes a physical stress onto the body. Until the head is positioned again in its true centre of gravity, the stress on the body will remain.
Our spine compensates to the abnormal pressure resulting in a high shoulder and pelvis; maybe a twist to the hips also. This often then presents with symptoms of neck, back pain, headaches, knee pain, etc. We become the human version of Leaning Tower of Pisa.
What’s the remedy? Careful mathematical calculation of how the atlas is misaligned in relationship to the skull and also its relationship to the rest of the spine. It is only when we know where the problem is the only way to know how to fix it. To see if you may be out of alignment, contact your local NUCCA chiropractor.
Part 1: What's "holding" the correction?
Any time body work is done, how much of that work are you retaining? What does it mean to be holding the correction? What should you be looking for?
If you’re reading this; you’ve probably been under some form of chiropractic care or maybe you’re super interested in why NUCCA is so different. As a chiropractor, I’ve heard patients say any of these combinations
1. “I know I NEVER hold the adjustment.”
2. “I can only hold the correction several days.”
3. “I pop right out the moment I get off the table.”
& this one is my favorite….
4. “My atlas is holding, but I have problems with A, B, & C.
The common denominator to these issues is that there is still an interference with the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Regardless of what the symptom may be. Regardless of where said symptom is. I question what’s going on with the Atlas. Think of the alignment as a work in progress. “We are just not quite there yet.” and the solution is to keep working on the alignment until all checks indicate the brainstem is free of ANY and ALL interference…not in a week’s time or a month’s time…but NOW.
HOW? & WHAT do we look for?
Posture is not just about keeping your back straight, shoulders down, and holding the head upright. Its about Atlas alignment that allows for the nerves to fire properly that allows for proper posture to occur. Its not your consciousness of your posture, but the nerves working optimally, automatically the moment you’re upright.
Leg length check: when a patient is laying down on their back and the body is resting( the weight of the head + force of gravity is no longer resting on the spine); the leg length SHOULD be even. Nerves should be calm (there’s no signal for the extensor muscles to contract) therefore the muscles of the back should also be completely relaxed, giving us the visual of even leg length. HOWEVER, when there is a misalignment of the atlas, the nervous system simply cannot be calm leading to nerves firing off. So extensor muscles will contract even though the brain is not telling it to fire…and a short leg will be apparent. That’s an indicator of the spine not being in alignment. Atlas is still off and there will be symptoms within the body.
Anatometer: The anatometer is a machine that looks at the posture of a patient. We’re looking at hip level, hip rotation, and the body’s centre of gravity. Every part should be on 0 (zero) degrees. Think of the body in its simplest anatomical position. If the body is cut in half legthwise…our shell (not speaking of organs) should be even: Left Vs. Right. Any deviation from 0 degrees indicate there’s something off with the ways nerves are firing, which signal to their corresponding muscles to react accordingly. This simply means, the alignment is off.
Pinch Nerves: This is more or less a generic term. Some patients already come into the office knowing they have pinch nerves. Whether it is someone else telling them or they feel a “bump” in their neck. Perhaps, they have done enough research and have tried many remedies for their nerve pain to know what they have is in fact a pinched nerve. Pinch nerves come directly from the misalignment of the spine. If the head is off kilter and the Atlas is not in its perfect relationship between the head and the spine, then there will be pinch nerves. & its not going to be just one or 2…but throughout the whole spine. Just because you do not have the numbness & tingling or pain running down does not mean the pinch nerves are not there. It takes an elongated time of nerve irritation for many people to seek help. Typically, by the time someone is done giving anti inflammatory, over the counter pain meds, exercises, at home therapies to the likes of professional therapies and remedies…months if not years have already passed.
Want to know HOW to hold the alignment? Read on Do’s and Don’ts
Whats a Headache?
Headaches can be debilitating and disruptive. Have you tried different remedies for your headaches? What about checking to see if your upper neck be out of balance?
Headaches. If you’ve ever experienced one, you’ll know its a headache. Its painful, its irritating, it may throb, it may be unrelenting, & its certainly disrupting. However, not all headaches are created equally. There are a handful of subtypes such as (HA = short for headaches; not all re listed, but here are a few common ones)…
Cluster HA - extremely painful, described as knife stabbing behind eye. Can be due to allergies
Migraine HA- can be with or without aura prior to onset. Commonly with light and/or sound sensitivity. Can be associated with nausea and vomiting. Hormonal changes for women can lead to migraines before menstruation.
Tension HA - typically stemming from the neck musculature. Patients often describe this feeling as pressure from wearing a tiny hat.
Caffeine like, rebound HA - too much caffeine can lead to migraine like HAs. Withdrawal can also lead to a headache
Exertional HA - physically induced exertional headache. Feels more like pounding sensation into the head.
Sinus HA - infections or allergies can cause irritation to the sinus, thus building up pressure within.
Rhyme and reason
Different causes will create different effects. Caffeine like headache are caused by caffeine. Sinus headaches are caused by allergens or infection. Migraines can be a hormonal issue. Or it can also be a biomechanics issue of the upper neck. According to migraine headache study, 82% of all migraine sufferers had mild traumatic brain injury. There are no head injury without neck injury and vice versa. The upper neck has a very vital role in balancing the heavy bowling ball size head. When there is a trauma that disrupts that balance, the body will then struggle to hold the head upright. This leads to strain of the neck muscles causing tension in the neck, shoulders, even down to the mid back, and even up into the head creating tension headaches for some; migraines for others.
Solution
For many, self medication with an over the counter pain killer can do the trick in alleviating headaches. Other at home remedies include heat packs, massage chairs/hand device, muscle relief gel creams, etc. However, for many sufferers, headaches recur often times in a very predictable schedule and in very unrelenting ways that at home remedies fail to work. The next course of action for many are massage therapy and physiotherapy. Both can work wonders. There are also those who turn to chiropractic care. Upper cervical techniques in particular look at the specific dynamic between the head and neck. The very first bone that cradles the head is called the Atlas, aka C1 vertebra. Did you know, 77 TRILLION nerves flow through from that very first bone? Often times, a precise calculation of the atlas misalignment is just what’s needed to allow the proper nerve and blood flow for painfree and optimal health.
Are you suffering from headaches? Want to see if NUCCA can help?