Non-surgical improvement of cervical lordosis is possible in advanced spinal osteoarthritis: a CBP^® case report

Abstract

[Purpose] To present a case of the non-surgical improvement in cervical kyphosis in a patient with history of cervical spine trauma and advanced osteoarthritis. [Subject and Methods] A 38 year old male presented with a chief complaint of chronic neck pain that was not substantially relieved by recent previous traditional physiotherapy and chiropractic manipulation. The cervical radiograph demonstrated a cervical hypolordosis of 5° as measured by the Harrison posterior tangent method from C2–C7. There was a 15° kyphosis at C4–C6 with advanced degenerative changes consistent with previous spine trauma. The patient was treated by CBP® methods incorporating cervical extension traction, extension exercises, and spinal manipulation for 30 sessions over an 18 week period. [Results] After the treatment sessions, there was a substantial (27°) increase in global C2–C7 lordosis, and 5° decrease in C4–C6 degenerative kyphosis corresponding to the reduction in neck pain and disability, and an improvement in overall health status as indicated on the SF-36 health questionnaire. [Conclusion] Although degenerative spondylosis of the cervical spine will have physical limitations to non-surgical correction, this case serves as an example that it is possible to reduce degenerative kyphosis and increase global cervical lordosis corresponding to health improvements in these patients.

Restoring cervical lordosis by cervical extension traction methods in the treatment of cervical spine disorders: a systematic review of controlled trials

“…In that paper it was discussed that the success for changing the spine structure was likely due to both the 'more efficient direction of the applied tractioning force' and the 'use of a sustained force'. Regardless of actual mechanism, the ability to restore the anatomic cervical spine curve may be an under-utilized therapeutic approach to a myriad of craniocervical disorders [38][39][40][41][42] .…”

Structural rehabilitation of the cervical lordosis and forward head posture: a selective review of Chiropractic BioPhysics^® case reports

“…SF-36), elimination of medication use and improved sleep. There were also reports of improved asthma symptoms 42) , relief of ringing in the ears 49) , resolution of blurred vision 51) and in one case, telomere lengthening 57) .…”

“…Importantly, there were documented improvements in a wide variety of chief complaints not exclusively attributed to neck pain and/or headaches. For example, relief was documented in reported cases of sinus problems 62) , neurologic tics 58) , blurred vision 51) , ringing in the ears 49) , dizziness 35,37,49) , gait and balance instability 44,59) and incontinence 64) , among others. There were also structural spinal changes reported beyond lordosis and AHT changes such as reduction of cervical spondylolisthesis 40,60) , improved clivo-axial angle 35) , as well as reduction of forward head translation and increased lordosis in patients having presence of partial cervical spine fusion 52,55) .…”

“…improved lordosis, less pain) but remains osteoarthritic (i.e. Fortner et al 51) ). Alternatively, many patients did have improvement or 'cure/remission' to their primary complaint, for example Breton et al 43) (carpal tunnel syndrome), Fortner et al 49) (Dizziness), etc; these distinctions must be carefully determined from studying the Table 1−'Other outcomes'.…”

Increasing the cervical and lumbar lordosis is possible despite overt osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis using extension traction to relieve low back and leg pain in a 66-year-old surgical candidate: a CBP^® case report

“…Several clinical trials, case reports and case series have documented successful patient outcomes incorporating Chiropractic BioPhysics ® (CBP ® ) rehabilitation methods including extension traction methods to treat lumbar spine hypolordosis induced LBP 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) . Of the evidence reported on CBP methods, there has only been one case report that recently described the successful non-surgical increase in cervical lordosis in a patient suffering from cervico-cranial symptoms having cervical kyphosis and osteoarthritis 15 ) . To the authors knowledge there is no known report featuring the improvement of lumbar lordosis in a patient having simultaneous lumbar spine osteoarthritis.…”