Our necks have a gentle curve in order to help displace the normal stress that is put on the spine by our head. However, over time this healthy curve can diminish and even become non-existent, which can alter how stress is handled in our cervical spine. Left untreated, this can lead to pain and discomfort both in the region and in nearby areas. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at why some people lose this natural neck curve and what can be done to prevent problems from developing.
Causes and Symptoms Of Flat Neck Syndrome
The condition in which someone loses some or all of the natural curve of their cervical spine goes by a few different names – flat neck syndrome, cervical kyphosis or military neck, but they all refer to the same issue. Our necks have a natural lordotic curve, but this can diminish over time for a few different reasons. Some of the common causes or risk factors of flat neck syndrome include:
- Natural spinal degeneration
- A result of a spinal surgery
- Neck injury or trauma
- Disease, infection of tumor development
- Birth defect
Symptoms of the condition include a visible straightening of the neck (how you might imagine a soldier’s neck when standing at “attention”), limited range of motion, tenderness and pain in the region. Even if symptoms are mild, it’s important to proactively treat the condition because a shifting cervical spine will put excessive stress on certain ligaments and soft tissues of the neck, only making the issue worse. If you believe you’re dealing with the condition, reach out to a spine specialist.
Diagnosis and Treatment Of Flat Neck Syndrome
If you suspect you’re dealing with cervical spinal straightening, set up an appointment with Dr. Sinicropi or a specialist in your area. They’ll begin by listening to your symptoms, reviewing your medical information and conducting a physical exam. The physical exam is an important part of the diagnostic process that allows the specialist to see how the area performs during some simple movement exercises. Finally, the doctor may take a closer look at the bone structure with the assistance of an X-ray or MRI. With all the information in their hands, developing a diagnosis and treatment plan is rather straightforward.
If you’ve been diagnosed with flat neck syndrome, some treatment options your doctor may recommend include:
- Exercise
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Chiropractic manipulation
- Weight management
The good news is that flat neck symptoms can typically be managed or alleviated with the above conservative care options. In the rare instance where conservative care doesn’t help provide relief, a minimally invasive surgical operation may be recommended. We can walk you through the basics of those potential operations should they become necessary.
So if you are dealing with neck pain and suspect it may be due to a shifting cervical portion of your spine, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today to get a treatment plan in place.
