The following X-ray films are examples of the cervical spine or neck.
This is a normal view of the neck or cervical spine as taken from the side. Notice the gentle curvature. This curvature acts as a spring on which the load of the head is carried. As we walk the weight of the head has to be carried smoothly just as springs on our cars make the ride smooth.
Normal Cervical Spine
This side view is of a my patient Bob who was a 27 year old carpenter that complained of constant moderate-severe neck pain that radiated into his right arm and hand. He had tingling, weakness and it was very difficult using hand tools such as a saw and hammer in his work. Notice that his head is carried well forward of his shoulder yet when you looked at his posture his neck appeared straight and not with a reversal of his curvature. This view is BEFORE treatment.
BEFORE AFTER
CERVICAL
This is a close-up of the BEFORE view. Compare it to the close-up of the AFTER view. Do you notice anything different between the two? Look at the dark stipe between the second and third bone. This is the disc space and it is much narrowed on the left. Notice the “hook” of bone in that area. It is a bone spur. Now look at the dark stripe between the second and third bone in the after view. Do you see that the stripe is wider and no longer narrowed? This is because with 3 months of treatment the disc space was restored. The bone spur is still there but is no longer contributory to the decay and degeneration that was progressing in Bob’s spine.
Now look at this last view. It looks totally different than normal, right? That is because this is a case of severe advanced decay of the spinal bones and degeneration of the discs to the extent that the vertebrae have fused themselves together. This patient was in constant pain and had difficulty moving his neck.
BEFORE AFTER
TREATMENT TREATMENT
CLOSE UP
This side view of Bob’s neck was taken 3 months AFTER treatment started. Do notice anything different? Yes the neck curvature is no longer reversed and it is straighter. No, it is not perfect but with continued treatment it may be expected to look more like the normal view above.
Severe Cervical Spine
