Aging gets blamed for a lot of ills…including neck motion changes. You’re not alone if you discover
that you do not turn your head quite as easily
or as far as you once did or that you don’t flex or extend it in
the same way as you once could. Degenerative discs and
vertebrae and associated osteophytes contribute to limiting movement. Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. is ready to help your neck motions
with gentle chiropractic treatment!
CERVICAL SPINE MOTION
Physiological motion of the spine sounds
like something good, does it not? It does! In the cervical
spine, researchers have noted how a consistent sequence of
cervical segmental contributions function when the neck moves. This
sequence is common in 80-90% of young healthy persons. But what
about the motions in aging spines of older folks?
Decreased motion has been linked
to aging. A recent study by some curious researchers
set out to see if such consistent neck
motions in asymptomatic young people were the same in elderly
asymptomatic persons. They didn’t. They found that aging - as
demonstrated by the motion patterns seen in elderly asymptomatic persons - was linked
to a loss of consistent motion patterns as seen
in young asymptomatic persons. For example, the consistent pattern in young
asymptomatic persons was found in only 10% of the older persons at T1 and 0% at
T2. (1) As our Auburn chiropractic friends and family age along
with us, we’re not alone in noting motion
changes. Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. offers gentle Cox® Technic treatment in order to allow as much movement to spinal segments
as they’ll allow. If you notice limitations in your neck
motions, let us know! We can examine you to find the usual culprits
that may be the cause.
WHAT COMES WITH AGING THAT LIMITS NECK MOTION: Osteophytes
Osteophytes are commonly seen in elderly
folks’ vertebrae of the lumbar and cervical spines. Anterior osteophytes keep
growing and eventually produce neck pain
or back pain. Since osteophytes are so common and result in such pain, researchers determined a way to predict the mean
time to onset of pain and the path of degeneration that happens
in these vertebrae based on data from following patients’ osteophytes
for 9 years. (2) We know our Auburn chiropractic patients with
osteophytes are not as curious as to how long ago their osteophytes
started, but rather how our chiropractic care can help! Here’s an
interesting case involving osteophytes and relieving chiropractic
care: Osteophytes may contribute to patients’
developing dysphagia (aka difficulty with swallowing). A case report detailed the presentation
of a 53-year-old woman with a sore throat, difficulty swallowing solid foods,
and acid reflux. Her imaging revealed anterior osteophytes as well
as kyphosis (abnormal curvature) of her cervical spine and thoracolumbar
scoliosis, any of which could impact her dysphagia. Six
months of chiropractic care resolved her issues. (3) Chiropractic care works!
CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. Shay Corbin on the Back Doctors Podcast with Dr.
Michael Johnson as he shares the effectiveness
and gentleness of the Cox® Technic System
of Spinal Pain Management for his musician patient experiencing
neck and back pain.
Schedule your next Auburn
chiropractic appointment with Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.. Bring your aging spine, your
less-than-mobile cervical spine, your stiff neck
to our clinic. We can work toward better motion!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."