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Cervical Kyphosis (CK) with Spinal Distress

Cervical Kyphosis (CK) with Spinal Distress™ is a spinal health syndrome that involves the complete loss or reversal of the normal, natural forward arch shape of the neck which can result in extreme pressure on the spinal cord, discs, muscles and nerves of the neck and spine. This syndrome was coined “CK with Spinal Distress” by Dr. Scott Chorny in 1995.

Causes of CK with Spinal Distress

CK can be caused by either a single traumatic event, such as an accident, fall or injury or, more commonly, develop over a period of months or years from seemingly minor, insignificant traumas and events in which the effects multiply and worsen over time. Once the problem has advanced far enough that strain is put on the spinal cord or that muscles begin to tighten, the symptoms will begin, sometimes seeming as if they developed for “no apparent reason”.

Common Symptoms associated with CK with Spinal Distress

• Neck and Shoulder Tension • Headaches • Migraines • Neck and Shoulder Tension • TMJ Disorder • Numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in the arms and hand

CK with Spinal Distress also has a high correlation of spinal decay including bone spurs, disc degeneration and, if left unaddressed, can result in irreversible spinal damage in a relatively short period of time. Arthritic bone spur formation with accompanying disc decay and degeneration are most commonly found at the C5-C6 vertebral level with CK with Spinal Distress, but is also found frequently at the C4-C5 and C6-C7 levels if left unaddressed or uncorrected.

If left unaddressed or uncorrected, CK can lead to:

• Disc Decay and Degeneration • Bone Spurs/Early Arthritic Degeneration • Extreme Nerve Pressure or “Pinching” • Irreversible Spinal Damage

Many traditional treatment methods can contribute to the onset of spinal damage and life-long health problems by treating only the symptoms of CK and virtually ignoring the actual cause, the loss of the normal forward neck arch.

Diagnosis

CK with Spinal Distress is diagnosed by use of x-ray study including a side view of the neck which must be correlated with detailed neurological, physical and orthopedic examination to confirm that symptoms are consistent with a diagnosis of CK with Spinal Distress. The loss or reversal of the normal cervical, or neck, forward arc (lordosis) is seen on a weight bearing, side view x-ray of the neck.

Treatment

Treatment for CK with Spinal Distress is usually inconsistent at best due to the complexity of this condition and the limitations in scope of practice that each healthcare provider must adhere to. For example, a medical physician may likely prescribe pain medication or muscle relaxants. A chiropractor may recommend spinal manipulation. A physical therapist will likely perform therapy or rehabilitation. Some of these treatment modalities may provide temporary symptom relief, but a long-lasting solution can be hard to come by. One challenge is that although each type of treatment may provide some temporary relief, the actual cause of the problem, the CK, is not addressed long-term. There are only a few select practitioners today that specialize exclusively in diagnosing and caring for those afflicted with Cervical Kyphosis (CK) with Spinal Distress. Treatment by a CK specialist will likely include a combination of therapy methods and modalities since one type of treatment by itself usually provides only short-term relief at best. A CK specialist may use a combination of very specific, specialized alignment of the arch of the neck done both by hand and with specialized equipment. Stretching and strengthening may also likely be performed to speed recovery and correction. You may think of it as “orthodontic care for the spine… without the braces”.

Evaluation of progress is made both with diminishing symptoms, but can only truly be verified by update x-ray and examination studies.