The spine, which consists of 33 vertebrae, has 7 vertebrae in the neck. In healthy individuals, these vertebrae are arranged in a C-shaped, slightly curved manner, while for some reason these vertebrae become a straight line. The loss of this natural curvature, also known as cervical lordosis, for various reasons, is called neck straightening. The I-shaped vertebrae can also bend in the opposite direction in some advanced cases.
What Causes Neck Flattening?
The most important cause of neck straightening is posture disorder. This disorder can occur due to various reasons when people are asleep or awake during the day. Causes such as working at a desk all the time and not doing enough physical activity during the day cause posture disorder. In particular, sitting in the wrong posture for long periods of time every day due to occupational conditions is shown among the important causes of neck straightening.
Advanced age can also cause neck straightening. With age, the discs between the vertebrae become damaged and these discs begin to collapse. This injury and thinning, also known as degenerative disc disease, causes the neck to lose its curve and cause people to have problems with balance.
In addition to lifestyle, various traumas can also cause neck flattening. Injuries occurring during sports activities and injuries in the neck region as a result of accidents, falls and blows create trauma. These changes, fractures and tears in the spine also cause neck straightening.
In some cases, congenital neck straightening is seen, not due to environmental effects. Congenital neck straightening occurs especially with cervical kyphosis, in which the vertebrae and spine lose their natural structure. Congenital disc pathologies may also cause neck flattening later on.
One of the causes of discomfort is tumors and infections. Tumors that put pressure on the vertebrae and around the vertebrae in the neck region and lesions that cause swelling in this region also cause the neck to lose its natural structure.
Other causes of neck flattening include obesity, which causes immobility, and complications from spinal surgery operations.
Neck Flattening Symptoms
Neck flattening symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the underlying causes of the disorder and the causes of the discomfort. While some patients have mild syndromes that do not affect their daily lives much, more severe symptoms are observed in some people, especially those with cervical lordosis.
The main cause of these symptoms is the injuries seen in the discs in the spine that provide flexibility. Hardening of these discs, which protect the spine and spinal cord, causes problems in muscles, bones, nerves and ligaments. According to the severity of these problems and damages, the symptoms show themselves from mild to severe. Common symptoms of neck flattening are as follows:
Pain radiating to the shoulder, scapula and neck,
Headache that rises from the neck,
Inability to perform some movements due to stiffness in the head and neck region,
Muscle pain due to stretching of neck muscles,
Pain radiating to other vertebrae to which the neck vertebrae are attached, and thus to the back,
Nerve compression due to pressure on muscles and nerves.
Neck Flattening Treatment
When planning the treatment of neck flattening, the severity and cause of the disease are taken into account first. Today, most cases of neck flattening are caused by people’s lifestyles. Especially all day long, sitting in the same wrong posture or not moving for long hours are mechanical problems. In order to restore the natural curved appearance of the body and neck, first of all, it is necessary to correct the posture disorders and reduce the pressure on the nerves and muscles.
In cases where neck straightening affects only the shoulder, neck and nape regions and has not yet reached the spine, non-surgical treatment methods are tried first. Painkillers used for pain, using a neck brace and physiotherapy are effective methods in the treatment of mild symptoms. Especially in mild cases where even pain is not seen, only minor changes in lifestyle such as exercising and sitting in the right posture are sufficient.
In cases where non-surgical treatment options are not sufficient and some neurological symptoms occur, neck straightening surgery is performed. Surgical operation is considered as a last resort, especially for cervical lordosis, compression in the spine and severe pain in the back.
Does Neck Flattening Restore?
In healthy individuals, the vertebrae that are curved but take an I shape due to flattening of the neck can return to their natural curved structure with the right treatment methods.
Today, successful results are obtained, especially with non-surgical methods. With the help of neck straightening, physical therapy applications and exercises to be done in accordance with the condition of the patients and the severity of the disease, symptoms such as pain are eliminated and the neck curve is fulfilled.
Where Do Neck Straightening Pains Hit?
Neck straightening pains are felt in different parts of the body according to the affected parts of the spine. Neck flattening, which occurs in 7 vertebrae in the neck region in general, causes pain both in the neck region and in the shoulder, scapula and nape. In some patients, pain radiating from the neck is also felt in the head area. These pains, which are usually mild, are eliminated in the short or long term with non-surgical methods such as painkillers, exercise and physical therapy.
In some cases, the pain radiating from the neck vertebrae also affects the spine and back pain occurs. These pains, which become more severe when combined with cervical kyphosis, are treated first with non-surgical methods and then with surgical methods, with the planning of specialist doctors.
How Does Neck Straightening Pass?
Precautions such as the use of the right pillow, regular exercises, manual neck stretching and sitting with the correct posture are effective in cases that are manifested by mild symptoms, primarily due to lifestyle. Treatments, which also benefit from physiotherapy applications and are supported by correct and regular exercise, cause neck straightening. In rare cases that cause very severe symptoms, surgery is performed as the last option.
Some small changes to be made in daily life and precautions to be taken help both to eliminate neck flattening and to prevent this ailment. Especially those who make repetitive movements during the day due to professional conditions or different reasons should rest their necks and avoid compelling movements.
A neck brace is used for pain felt in the neck and neck. However, the neck collar must be used under the supervision of a doctor and not exceeding a few days.
Using specially produced neck pillows ensures that the neck stays in the correct position while sleeping. Neck pillows are also often used during physical therapy.