Our spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae, and just like any other part of our body, they change over time. As we get older, “wear and tear ” on our spines is as normal as getting wrinkles on our skin. As the vertebra in our spines experience wear and tear over time, this changes the shape of the bones and subsequently the “alignment”. In our necks, it’s extraordinarily common to go from being curved (lordotic) to less curved or straight. Unfortunately, there are still health providers who will use the idea of pain sufferers’ spines being out of alignment; some will even take x-rays and photo’s to highlight the fact you have lost the curve in your neck, then they will often try to get you to commit to long-term and expensive “corrective care” plans where they see you regularly for months to restore your “divine” neck curve as it was in your adolensce.
It’s worth remembering, the vast majority of adults have a “straight(ened)” neck, I treat just as many people with low back pain, hip pain, foot pain etc… with a straight neck as I do neck pain sufferers with a straight neck. So not only can it not be reversed, but more than likely it has little to do with your pain!
There was a study in the prestigious European Spine Journal printed all the way back in 2007 that found there was no difference in neck curvature between people with neck pain and without neck pain, essentially people without neck pain have the same alignment as people with neck pain. Another study done in 2008 found there is no association between spinal curves and health, including pain.
Another study printed in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Research found the cervical curvature was not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. This was a systematic review that looks at the entire scope of all research done on the matter and is some of the strongest evidence research can provide.
There was another systematic review done in 2024 that look at thoracic posture i.e mid-back and found no association with mid back curvature, neck tilt and neck pain. Again, there was no difference between neck pain sufferers and people who don’t suffer from neck pain.
If you’re suffering from neck pain and looking for an evidenced based, holistic and individualised approach, book into see Kieran today!
