How to straighten my neck without surgery?

[Kovacs22]

I'm considering going to a physical therapist to "straighten" my neck back to a normal curve, as it causes neck and shoulder strain and it's sometimes difficult to sleep. I'm not looking for surgery, but more of a gradual therapy to bring my neck back into permanent alignment.

I've been to a doctor already and he told me that there's some arthritis and said that I'll have to deal with it.

The chiropractor was more helpful, as he brought back my range of motion with neck adjustments, as before, I was only able to move my head back barely past 90 degrees (now it's almost at 180 degrees!).

Anyway, I heard that you could permanently realign the neck by pulling the neck away from the body, which straightens the spine, sort of like pulling a string taut. My question is, is this even possible? Here's a photo of my neck x-ray.

[Tuckamore]

You my vent any time the mood strikes you. I get it - as do many others that must use their health insurance. I vent every now and again on MedHelp.

Any progress on the cervical spine issue?

~Tuck

[Kovacs22]

I hate health insurance - from my experience, they are usually up to no good and cause more problems for people who use it, though, they are a necessary evil and do serve a practical purpose. But, when it comes time for them to follow up on their end, they do all they can to back out.

Recently, they put me on hold for about one hour, and I got to thinking that they did that on purpose to get me to go away after I asked a question about reimbursement. They also claim one thing and then state that the representative you talked with was wrong and that I wouldn't get reimbursed. Before that, they falsely accused me of all sorts of things. It's sad but comical, really.

And, it's an interesting concept with insurance. They're considered "invisible bankers" since they get their premiums or "interest" ahead of any obligation to pay, as opposed to traditional banks lending out loans to receive interest later. To top it off, it's mandatory with health and auto insurance. No wonder Warren Buffet loves the concept, enough to own 100% of Geico and 100% of 7 other insurance companies (75% of 1 other insurance company).

It's a wonder why there isn't more uproar in the community to take action against these bankers. Anyway, that was my rant and vent's over.

[Tuckamore]

Geeezzz!!  Insurance.

They spend more dollars, thousands of dollars fooling around with therapies before they approve an inevitable required test. I'm so sorry.

My D.O. did not require an MRI before she did OMT. It doesn't make sense, unless he isn't being gentle - or he believes you have a serious issue. However even if you do have a serious issue there are OMTs that could be done without injury.  Again I'm sorry you are in such a situation.

I had 2 cervical MRIs last month and have some cervical issues also. I see a neurosurgeon after I have a Nerve Conductivity Test. I had cervical neuritis and it brought my life to a stop. You don't want to stretch or irritate those cervical nerves and initiate neuritis - believe me it's horrid. So be cautious in any home remedies or therapies.

Please keep in touch!

[Kovacs22]

I tried going to a D.O., but that doctor requires an MRI. The MRI won't be covered under my health insurance until I get P.T. to show that I need an MRI for further evaluation. So unfortunately, I'll have to get 12 consecutive sessions of P.T. until they allow me to go that route.

[Tuckamore]

Have you consulted a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy)? If not I would, one that does OMT (Osteopathic Manipulation Therapy).

D.O.'s are the experts in body alignment. If anyone has an answer for you they certainly would.

The cervical spine is more complex (in part do to size) that other areas of your spine. Don't "mess" with it and cause more issues than you already are experiencing. Don't buy products on the internet that promise results for spine or cervical alignment without consulting your physician.

You also might want to consult an ortho but I think your best best is a D.O. Let us know what you discover.

Good Luck and Take Care,
~Tuck

[Kovacs22]

Also, if you look at the bottom two cervical discs, I almost feel as if they can be "pushed" and held by a brace until it settles into a normal position, perhaps by wearing a brace at night. Is there a therapy like this, and is it something I should consider as a safe, and one of the "better" options?

Also, my neck is like this due to a series of head and neck injuries, and so it's not genetic, however that may help in analyzing my neck and the best non-surgical treatment to bring it back into alignment. Furthermore, I believe that this neck position is negatively affecting my posture as I stand, as well as to make my neck appear smaller than it actually is.

And, by "90 degrees" in the original post, I mean 90 degrees from the surface or in a straight upright head position. 180 degrees refers to tilting the head back and looking up at the sky.