See The Difference?
Most of my patients know that in my practice I’m all about evidence-based medicine. Everything I do is backed up by stacks of studies supporting it’s effectiveness. That being said, while it’s nice to know the science is behind what we do at Ascent Chiropractic, sometimes pictures say much more than a thousand words could ever say.
Before & After X-Rays
These are the before and after neck x-rays of a 34 year-old woman who had suffered a relatively minor whiplash injury a few years ago. After the initial pain and swelling subsided it seemed like everything was back to normal, but several months later she started getting chronic headaches, neck pain, stiffness, and shoulder tightness.
When the pain-killers, muscle relaxers and physical therapy prescribed by her primary care doc didn’t provide any lasting relief she was referred by a friend to us at Ascent Chiropractic.
What Am I Even Looking At?
When looking at the cervical spine (neck) from the side, a smooth, forward curve is normal – as seen in the after image on the right. This is called a lordosis and is the “normal” positioning for the cervical spine. However, whiplash, chronic poor posture or neck strain can lead to a straightening or even a reversal of this normal curvature.
The truth is that the straightening seen in this patient’s “before” x-rays is surprisingly common in patients who come into our office for neck pain, but it’s often dismissed by healthcare professionals focusing more on life-threatening pathologies and less on findings which might develop into long-term chronic health problems. However, if left uncorrected, this abnormal positioning can contribute to a ton of issues linked to the cervical spine, such as:
- Tension and Migraine Headaches
- TMJ Dysfunction and Pain
- Vertigo and Dizziness
- Chronic Muscle Spasm and Loss of Range of Motion
- Disc Bulges and Herniations
- Spinal Degeneration and Arthritis
- Problems with Ability to Focus
- Cardiovascular and Blood Pressure Problems
- Poor Posture and Anterior Head Carriage
Correcting The Problem At Ascent Chiropractic
Fortunately, after twelve visits to Ascent Chiropractic the patient’s cervical alignment was back to normal and her neck pain and headaches were totally gone.
At Ascent Chiropractic we’re committed to not just relieving that stiff neck but to correcting it’s cause and optimizing your body to function better than it ever has before. Our unique, low-force, evidence-based approach to treatment allows us to correct spinal biomechanics, restore normal function, and get you out of pain and on the road back to optimal health.
Don’t want chronic neck pain, headaches, and spinal degeneration to be part of your future? Schedule an appointment by calling us at 262-345-4166 or use our online scheduling app.
