What is Cervical Flattening? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Methods

What is Cervical Flattening?

Cervical flattening, also known as loss of cervical lordosis, is a condition where the inward curve of the cervical spine flattens, becomes straight, or bends forward. When looking at the body profile, it is normally observed that the neck has a natural C-shaped curve. In the case of cervical flattening, this curve flattens or even reverses, and the opening of the C-shape points towards the front of the body. Among the harmful effects of cervical flattening, symptoms such as persistent pain especially in the shoulder, arm, and back regions can be listed.

An adult human has 7 vertebrae in the neck. These vertebrae need to maintain a C-shaped curve. This curvature is necessary for many situations, ranging from keeping the head in balance to allowing the head to react suddenly in the event of any trauma.

What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Flattening?

Cervical flattening has its own characteristic symptoms. These symptoms are mostly felt in the neck, shoulders, back, and head. The most common symptoms of cervical flattening are:

Neck pain,

Limited neck mobility,

Stiffness felt in the neck,

A feeling of heaviness in the shoulders,

Pain in the nape of the neck,

Restriction in movements,

Instability while walking,

Cervical flattening,

Numbness in the arms and hands

One of the first and most important symptoms of cervical flattening is neck pain. Apart from this, cervical flattening can also manifest itself with a headache. Sometimes, pain in the neck can also be felt as a headache.

What Causes Cervical Flattening?

The neck has a natural curvature. This curvature has a natural inward C-shape in the upper back and neck region. If this natural shape is disrupted, cervical flattening occurs. The causes of cervical flattening include:

Sedentary lifestyle,

Working in front of a computer for long hours during the day,

Postural disorders (humpbacked posture, etc.),

Overexertion of neck muscles,

Using heavy bags,

Deformation due to aging,

Apart from these, degenerative disc disease, any trauma to the neck region, complications that may occur after any surgical procedure affecting the spine, and the presence of a tumor or hernia that may cause nerve compression in the neck region can also cause cervical flattening.

How is Cervical Flattening Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis is extremely important in cervical flattening. In the case of disease progression, the flattening of the natural C-form may progress and start curving in the opposite direction. This condition can lead to what is called cervical kyphosis or humping of the cervical spine. Therefore, the disease needs to be diagnosed before it progresses.

When diagnosing cervical flattening, a physical examination is first performed by the doctor. During this examination, the patient's neck muscle tension, range of motion, and general spinal posture are evaluated. During the examination, a posture analysis is performed to evaluate the patient's posture. At the same time, the patient is asked to bend their head forward, backward, and to the sides to examine neck movements. After checking whether there is stiffness in the neck muscles, nerve tests are finally evaluated to check if there is any nerve compression.

Imaging methods are also utilized during diagnosis. Cervical flattening can be detected with an X-ray. The bone structure and degree of curvature of the cervical spine are imaged with an X-ray. If the natural concave C-form of the cervical spine cannot be seen, if it has flattened, or if a reverse curvature has formed, this condition can be easily visualized with an X-ray.

Cervical flattening can also be diagnosed with an MRI. Since a detailed image of nerve tissues, the spine, and discs can be obtained with the MRI method, this imaging can determine whether there is nerve compression or disc problems related to cervical flattening. MRI scanning for cervical flattening is especially recommended in the presence of neurological symptoms such as chronic pain, loss of strength, and numbness in the hands and arms.

Other imaging methods, such as computed tomography (CT) and dynamic X-ray, can also be utilized in the diagnosis of cervical flattening.

How is Cervical Flattening Treated?

The method to be used for cervical flattening treatment is determined based on the results of the examinations performed. Additionally, daily lifestyle changes expected from the patient during the treatment phase include relaxing the neck with cervical flattening exercises recommended by the doctor, stopping long-term computer and phone use, and choosing the pillow correctly as supportive steps to the treatment.

The first stage in the treatment of cervical flattening is physical therapy methods. Movements, posture exercises, and massages for cervical flattening are quite useful at this stage. All these steps are very beneficial in terms of strengthening the neck muscles, reducing compression symptoms in the spine, and regulating the spinal structure.

Apart from exercising for cervical flattening and physical therapy methods, painkillers, muscle relaxants, kinesio taping, dry needling, and neural therapy methods can also be included in the treatment plan.

Surgical methods can be utilized in the treatment of cervical flattening, albeit very rarely. Spinal surgery can be performed in very severe cases and due to an underlying different disease. After surgery, physical therapy is applied again to strengthen the weakened muscles and ensure proper neck posture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cervical flattening can occur due to many reasons such as sitting in front of a computer for long hours or constantly looking at a phone screen in the same position, posture disorder, sedentary lifestyle, overexertion of neck muscles, using a heavy backpack, and carrying weight on one side. Humpbacked posture, especially in adolescent girls to hide their bodies, is also one of the causes of cervical flattening. However, factors such as age-related deformations and stress are also among the causes of cervical flattening. Cervical flattening can often cause frequent pain in the nape of the neck, neck, and shoulders. In some patients, cervical flattening also leads to headaches. This pain is usually the pain in the neck radiating to the head. Cervical flattening is diagnosed using a physical examination performed by a doctor and imaging methods such as X-ray, MRI, and computed tomography. When a person encounters symptoms of cervical flattening, they should consult a doctor without delay to receive an accurate diagnosis. When cervical flattening is not treated, there may be a serious drop in the person's quality of life. Conditions such as persistent pain in the neck, ozone, back, and arms, numbness / loss of strength in the hands and arms in case of nerve compression, headache, and a decrease in sleep quality may occur. As a result of nerve compression, symptoms such as tinnitus and dizziness may appear. In more advanced cases, a condition called cervical spinal humping, where the natural C-curve of the neck bends in the opposite direction, may also form. Exercising is very beneficial in the treatment of cervical flattening. It is extremely important that all exercises to be performed are recommended by the doctor according to the patient's condition. Among the most frequently recommended exercises for cervical flattening are exercises such as chin tuck exercise, scapular squeeze, lateral neck stretch, neck rotation, bridge exercise, plank, and cobra pose. The point to remember is that all these exercises should be applied upon doctor's recommendation. Surgical intervention may rarely be required in the treatment of cervical flattening. Surgical procedures can be applied, especially in cases where cervical flattening is very advanced or in the presence of a different underlying cause leading to flattening. Cervical flattening may recur in the event of the continuation of triggering factors such as the persistence of postural disorders, stress, prolonged computer use, or carrying heavy bags. In addition, neglecting exercises or physical therapy can also cause cervical flattening to reappear. Cervical flattening is the physiological alteration and loss of form of the natural C-form of the cervical spine. Cervical disc hernia, on the other hand, is the loss of function as a result of compression of the nerves in the cervical vertebrae. In a cervical disc hernia, the outer layer of the discs between the vertebrae tears due to compression, and the jelly-like substance inside leaks out. For cervical flattening, doctors in the departments of orthopedics and traumatology, brain and nerve surgery, or physical therapy and rehabilitation can be consulted. Cervical flattening can be prevented by doing regular exercises, correcting posture, and taking ergonomic precautions. Therefore, early diagnosis is also quite important in terms of taking the necessary precautions to prevent cervical flattening.

The cause of your neck, shoulder, and back pain may be cervical flattening.

Schedule an appointment immediately with the Hisar Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation department for early diagnosis and proper treatment.