This is what anatomy textbooks classify as a normal cervical spine. If you notice, the bones look healthy, there is good space between each of the vertebrae and a very pronounce curvature is present. This is known as the CERVICAL LODOSIS.

Why do we have this curvature? It helps to absorb the weight of the neck, decrease compression forces and maintain proper biomechanics of  the head and neck.

This is what happens to your spine when subluxations are allowed to persist for periods of up to 20 years. As you notice, in this example, the patient has lost the normal LORDOTIC curvature. In fact, you will notice that the spine has actually begun to reverse its curvature.  The shape of the bones in this phase are still very normal with defined borders. This patient may state that there is a slight decrease in the normal range of motion of the head and neck.  Most patients do not report pain at this phase, and it is allowed to go untreated.

This is correctable! With patients in this phase of degeneration, proper Chiropractic care can restore structure and function in 6 to 18 months.

This is what a spine will look like if the SUBLUXATIONS are allowed to persist for up to 35-40 years. At this point, the bones have begun to change shape. They no longer show a well defined border, they now have CALCIFIC changes which may also be referred to as Arthritis or bone spurs. The disk space between the bones begins to decrease leading to increased pressure on the nerves of the neck.  Range of motion is decreased, but to a larger extent. This patient may state that they suffer from frequent headaches, stiff neck and shoulders.

Again, with proper Chiropractic care, this process can be stopped.  At this point, the bones will not return to their original shape,  but function can be restored, pain alleviated and further degeneration halted. The normal treatment time for this patient is between 1.5 to 2 years.

This phase is basically the same as the previous phase, only worse. There is virtually no disk space left, the bones have been grossly altered in shape and now show extensive “spurring” and “lipping”.  At this point, the patient will normally have a very restricted range of motion, moderate pain and perhaps even radiating pain into the arms and hands.

With this phase, structure of the spine will not be reversed, the only goal of the Chiropractor is to minimize pain, increase function, increase range of motion and prevent further degeneration. From here on, the body will begin to adapt to its new bone structure in an attempt to stabilize the spine. This can lead to cervical fusion.

At this phase, the patients quality of life and overall health is now compromised. The bones have begun to fuse, the disk spaces are nearly non-existent and there is severe pressure on the nerves in the  neck. With this much degeneration, the focus is no longer on restoring structure, but rather to improve the patients quality of life. Pain control, therapy to improve muscle tone, and attempts to decrease nerve impingement are the only goals.

At this point, the patient may be referred to a orthopedist for a surgical consultation.