Straightening of the cervical spine

[Susu2007]

An x-ray  last week revealed that I am suffering from "straightening of the cervical spine suggestive of muscle spasms".

I have been suffering from tension headaches for the past four months in addition to heavy-headedness and feelings of diequilibrium (not dizziness or vertigo but feeling like the ground is tilted to one side).

What should I do now? Did the muscle spasm cause the cervical spine to lose its curve or was it the other way round? If the muscle spasm is treated, will the neck recover its natural curve?

One more question, what are the causes of the straightening of the cervical spine other than muscle spasms? Should I get an MRI?

Thanks a lot!!

[Pmr123]

Once you take an MRI scan and you have to confirm that the result is 'straightening of cervical spine due to muscle spasm'.

Then now you can strongly go for the solution.

  * The one and only solution for this problem is "to wear a cervical soft collar".
  * You should wear this collar for 12 to 16 hours in a day.
  * You must wear this collar atleast 1 month for 12 to 16 hours in a day, then if u feels better after 1 month you will slowly reduce the hours step by step.
  * In addition ask your doctor to prescribe a pain killer, ulcer tablets to reduce the pain to use along with the collar.
  * Or else you just wear the collar itsef for 1 month then you will be fine.

[bilalasheikh]

I have straightening of spine,since 16 months. Initially used muscle for a month and it was bearable. Gradually it became worse and sometimes I can't even lift my head. Now wearing a cervical soft collar while sitting, driving and specially Office work. It helps stabilizing neck. Getting regular PT since lady 3 months and muscle relaxants and anti-depressants. No use of them. Heating pad and TENS helps reducing pain,in shoulders and neck. Now I feel my neck (left side) and left shoulder is swollen also the area on left side of spine. Any one having any idea? Doctors Have seriously failed,on it....

[SuziRider]

In regards to muscle spasms of the neck and shoulders, this is caused by an out-of-alignment neck and your body's own efforts to bring it back into alignment, which should be a slight C-curve backwards.  The neck should not poke forward, which can pinch nerves coming from the brain.  When looking at you from the side, the ear should be centered over the shoulder. This is often called 'The Arc of Life'.  Best thing is to find a local chiropractor who can x-ray it and see what is going on.  Apply ice if it is inflamed, and heat if it is knotted, and stretch it. Massage is good.  Sleep with a tightly rolled towel supporting your neck.
Muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories (Motrin,Advil, etc) actually prevent joints from healing, since inflammation is the body's primary healing response, and without it, it doesn't heal.

Check Groupon for local specials, and watch Dr. John Bergman on YouTube to learn more.  A good Chiro, mild exercise, and a good healthy diet can regrow cartilage in joints and make the pain and most chronic conditions go away.

[GooniesNeverDie]

I have this and what has worked wonders for me is FIRST, a PALMER graduate Chiropractor. After 4 sessions in 4 weeks I could tell a difference. Still going for the past year, so no quick fix. Prior I had just a Chiro (not Palmer) and I got worse! If this happens find a new Chiro with the proper education in this. SECOND, I have a foam wedge by Posture Right NeckOrthotic that I use daily after work. THIRD, I use that wedge on an Inversion Table. This stretches the neck and maintains the curve. When I am in a bad place with my pain I do this. After 5 minutes it becomes quite comfortable, the first few minutes are not so.  45 minutes of this I am back to feeling right for the day.

[Sherrich0570]

Has anyone had success with Physical Therapy?   I am going on three months with the constant headache that sometimes leads to severe migrains and muscle spasms in my neck.  MRI, Xrays show straightening of the spine.   Taking a higher dose Motrin type med that do not upset my stomach as much as motrin or tylenol.   muscle relaxers and three rounds of steriods, and have been doing PT now almost 3 weeks 2x's a week, and no real relief.

Anyone try any type of new pillow for sleeping that is working?  I am open to suggestions....  going to start walking at the gym this coming week hoping that will help.

Thanks,
Sher

[sautmartua]

i see u problem "straightening of the cervical spine suggestive
of muscle
spasms".
Can i sharing with u in my email:***@****,,,becoz
now i have "straightening of the cervical spine suggestive of
muscle
spasms" headache for 1 years 6 month,,please,,,give u email
send to my email,,,,,gbu

[moshaver]

I have recently been diagnosed with this as well.  You should know that muscle spasms are not even close to the only cause.  Trauma to your neck - i.e. whip lash, etc - can be one cause.  Another cause, and very likely the cause of my C-spine being straight - is sleeping on your stomach for many years.  As a child, I ONLY slept on my stomach.  I never ever slept any other way.  It's actually only in the last couple of years that I stopped sleeping on my stomach because of the neck pain.  I also stopped carrying purses and have made 'adjustments' in my life because of the pain.  

I just wanted you to be aware that there are lots and lots of causes.  I do think it is important that you find the root cause in your situation in order to be able to change whatever it is causing the problem.  I now sleep with a cervical pillow, I am very aware of my posture, etc.

[eric437]

I have the same feeling I was carrying for almost 2 years now. Cervical straightening probably due to muscular spasm. I am experiencing disequilibrium causing me lack of focus and a sense that I cannot do which I used to do. Please help me with this thank you

[Kerwin]

Have that very SAME problem. My tension headache lasted for 6 months and that is EVERYDAY> Had MRI and xray turned out to be from "straightening of the cervical spine suggestive of muscle spasms".

But now I'm ok except for the crunching in the bone on my neck when I rotate it. Here is what I did to STOP the PAIN.

1. Change lifestyle (stress free)
2. Take Vit E- anti oxidant lowers pain
3. Take COq10- improves energy production in muscle tissue
4. TakeOmega 3 Fatty Acid- to lessen pain you will need an "OIL CHANGE" on yourself.  It is also anti inflamatory which relieves pain and inflamation, promote joint health
5. Take One good MULTIVITAMIN
6. Take Ginger softgels- lowers pain
7. Back massage 30min 3 times a week (do not touch the spine)
8. 30 min HOT BATH in the morning
9. 30 Min Hot bath evening
10. sleep EARLY 8 hrs is a MUST
11.Muscle relaxant Myonal (1 in the morning and 1 during lunch time)
12. Take MOBIC 15mg (1 tab for 1 week to prevent pain) ask your doctor
13. Valium to help you relax your musle and sleep early

Note: 11 to 13 are doctor prescribed but pain was reduced from the scale of 10 to 2 by doing #1 to 10 for a month. then took another MRI cervical, still srtaightening of bone that's when the doctoor prescribed the meds and the tension headache is now ZERO except for cracking soung whenever I strtch my neck.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL IS I PRAYED THE ROSARY EVERY NIGHT...PRAYER IT HELPS. i WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU.

KERWIN

[ljdelane]

Thank you. I've been having this exact issue for weeks. I feel like shooting  myself in the head to make it stop. so thank you for giving me some form of relief that's less dramatic