The deformation that occurs on the C-shaped curved structure of the vertebrae located between the neck and head on the spinal cord, which is a part of the central nervous system, is called neck flattening or, in medical language, cervical lordosis flattening.

What is Neck Flattening?

The spinal system, whose main task is to keep the body standing, consists of vertebrae, the discs between the vertebrae and the ligaments and other soft tissues that bring these discs together. There are 33 vertebrae in the human body, of which 7 of them in the neck area that is, it is located in the region we call the cervical and not straight but curved. This C-shaped curved structure in the neck region is called lordosis in medical language.

Working at a desk for a long time, professional conditions, a sedentary lifestyle, reading with wrong posture for a long time This curvature in the neck area decreases over time due to various reasons, such as the disappearance of the C-shaped fold and starting to straighten, which is called neck straightening, that is, cervical lordosis straightening. Neck straightening can be treated with different physical therapy methods, manual therapy sessions and regular medical exercises, depending on the angle of the neck vertebrae.

What are the Symptoms of Neck Flattening?

Neck flattening can occur with different symptoms that vary from person to person, depending on the degree of curvature of the vertebrae between the neck and head of the spine. But the most common symptom is muscle pain, which causes pain in the neck.

vertebrae on neck when it starts to lose its natural curveThis causes the spine to bend outside of its normal course and, as a result, the muscles to be pulled and contracted in different directions. Spasms that start in this way begin to turn into chronic muscle pain over time as a result of neck straightening and can affect the neck, shoulders, back and waist. Muscle pain not only affects the physical activities of people negatively, but also creates movement restrictions in the body.

Another common symptom of neck straightening is numbness in hands and arms is the feeling. As the curvature of the vertebrae on the neck decreases, a pressure occurs on the nerve roots, and as a result of this pressure, numbness in the hands and arms, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and pain in the shoulders occur. In addition, headache, dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, numbness and pain are among the other symptoms of neck flattening.

Does Vertigo Occur Due to Neck Straightening?

Vertigo is a feeling of dizziness that occurs with deformations on the nervous system or inner ear disorders, and it is noted that it can develop due to neck straightening. Deformations on the C-shaped curve of 7 separate vertebrae between the head and neck of the spine. It causes abnormal stretching of two of the four vessels leading to the brain, resulting in reductions in regular blood flow.

As a result of this change in the body circulatory system, not enough blood to the brain ve vertigo what we call dizziness sensation and accompanying symptoms of tinnitus, headache, nausea and forgetfulness.

Neck flattening is treated with today's physical therapy and manual therapy techniques, and the reoccurrence of neck flattening is prevented with recommended medical sports and exercise programs in addition to the existing therapy program.

What Causes Neck Flattening?

Neck straightening occurs as a result of deformation on the spine skeleton, and the most basic reason for neck straightening is posture disorders. Symptoms that develop due to posture disorder cause the physiological curvature on the spine to disappear and the neck straightening.

In addition to posture disorder, the following reasons are also other causes that trigger the formation of neck flattening, and these activities that people do unknowingly in their daily lives cause neck flattening. Therefore, the following Avoiding positions is of great importance for a healthy musculoskeletal system. poses.

1. A lifestyle away from movement and sports
2. Carrying heavy loads and bags
3. Inappropriate pillow and mattress selection
4. The desire to hide the body during puberty, especially in young girls
5. The hunched posture model, which is exhibited by curving the body forward from the shoulders
6. Intensive computer, phone, tablet use throughout the day
7. Non-stop desk jobs
8. Prolonged false position posture by keeping the neck in a downward position throughout the day

Neck flattening can also be seen due to spinal disorders such as scoliosis and kyphosis, or due to deformities that occur during the anatomical development of the congenital spine. In addition, the increase in humpback as a result of bone collapses due to age-related fluid loss in the discs can also cause neck flattening.

Neck flattening can sometimes occur together with diseases related to the musculoskeletal system. Bone resorption, muscle, ligament and tissue damage, waist slippage can also be among the factors that cause neck straightening. For this reason, not ignoring the complaints related to muscle pain and getting an opinion from a specialist doctor or physiotherapist as soon as possible play an active role in the prevention of chronic diseases that may occur in the future.

What are the Risk Factors of Neck Flattening?

There are 33 vertebrae on a healthy body spine, and these vertebrae have C-shaped cavities in the neck and lumbar regions, and inverted C-shaped cavities in the back and hip regions. In medical language, these cavities are called lordosis and kyphosis, and as a result of the deformation of the vertebrae in the neck region, flattening occurs on the curve and this flattening is called neck flattening or cervical lordosis in medical language.

If neck straightening is not treated, in more advanced cases, the C-shaped curve gradually deteriorates and turns into an inverted C shape, which is called cervical kyphosis, and its results can cause serious health problems. Since the physical and functional limitation of movement caused by neck straightening reduces the flexibility of the spine, it is observed that severe injuries occur in individuals with this disorder as a result of falling or sudden reflexes.

How Is Neck Flattening Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis and treatment of neck flattening is of great importance so that the disease does not cause serious complications. The most important symptom of the discomfort is muscle pain, and it is recommended to see a specialist doctor or physiotherapist without delay in neck, waist and back pain. A treatment program can be applied under the control of specialist physiotherapists by diagnosing neck flattening in line with the physical examination and additionally the desired MR film.

What are Neck Flattening Treatment Methods?

Neck flattening is caused by the deterioration of the vertebrae between the neck and head of the spine, and successful results are recorded in curing the disease with different treatment methods depending on the degree of deterioration. The most common symptom of neck straightening is back, neck and shoulder pain, and it is recommended that people lie on their back on a hard surface and place reinforcements under the waist and neck. It is aimed to relax the spine by stretching the body for a while in this position.

The most basic treatment method applied in the treatment of neck straightening is physiotherapy, manual therapy and accompanying medical fitness ve exercise are programs. It is aimed to correct the slips and deformities that occur by applying pressure on the neck vertebrae with physiotherapy and manual therapy methods. In this way, both the tense structure of the spine is relieved and it is beneficial for the regulation of bone structures. With the medical fitness and exercise programs applied together, it is aimed to return the body to a flexible and movement-free life again, and the pain caused by posture disorders is relieved and the musculoskeletal system is strengthened.

If physical therapy, manual therapy, medical fitness and exercise programs are applied regularly, successful results are obtained in the treatment of neck flattening, and therefore, continuity in treatment is of great importance. If some symptoms are still observed as a result of the existing therapies, dry needle treatment can be recommended to the patients according to the degree of the disease.

Another point to be considered during the neck straightening treatment is that the treatment must be done by a specialist. physiotherapist control should be carried out. It is vital that the neck straightening treatment is carried out under the control of specialist physiotherapists, as complications that may occur as a result of incorrect treatment can cause permanent disability.

How Should Pillows Be Chosen for Neck Straightening?

One of the most important factors triggering neck straightening is posture disorder. Posture disorder also includes the lying position, which also addresses sleep patterns in the treatment of neck straightening. In the treatment of neck straightening, the main goal is to take a proper and balanced position of the head on the shoulders, and for this purpose, choosing the right pillow for the sleeping position and the correct sleeping position is of great importance.

Supine or side lying position is generally recommended for patients with neck pain and neck straightening. Patients who experience the supine position are advised to use medium-firm pillows to relieve neck pain and restore the C-shaped curve of the neck. The use of medium-hard pillows not only prevents the head from falling forward or backward with an excessive angle, but also reduces the pressure on the spine.

A higher level of pillow is recommended for patients who prefer the side-sleeping position. In the side lying position, the level between the shoulder and the neck is wider, and high pillows must be preferred to ensure that the neck is in line with the head area and shoulders. The use of high pillows acts as a suspension and is a supportive element in filling the space between the head, shoulders and neck in the side-lying position.

In the side lying position, one arm resting on the pillow and adding another pillow between the knees provides additional support for the spine. It is of great importance that the correct pillow selection, which positively affects the course of neck straightening treatment, is over orthopedic pillows. Choosing an orthopedic pillow supports the body in the right ratio, providing comfort and contributing positively to pain management. In addition, it is strongly recommended to avoid the prone lying position in people with neck straightening.

What are Neck Straightening Movements?

In the treatment of neck straightening, a series of exercises that can be performed by the patients on their own, have a positive effect on the course of the treatment and aim to strengthen the neck muscles are recommended. Neck straightening treatment exercises, which are applied in two separate sections as isometric and isotonic, are based on the body's resistance to head movements and the same exercises are given effectively in the treatment of neck hernia.

In addition to Isometric and Isotonic resistance exercises, it is recommended to rest the neck area at regular intervals if there are no causes such as neck hernia or calcification. Regular breaks are recommended for individuals who work long hours at a desk, make long calls on the phone, or long-distance drivers. Thanks to these breaks, it is aimed to minimize the spasms that occur on the neck muscles, while maintaining the correct posture, that is, the posture.