When looking at the research, the only known way that is based off of X-ray analysis, is specific traction based on where the misalignment of the spine is. In randomized controlled trials, one group received the cervical denneroll along with stretching, mobilization, and therapies while the other group received everything except for the cervical denneroll. The cervical denneroll is an orthotic device used to get curve in the neck. The group that did not receive the denneroll got no correction of the neck curve. The group that did receive the cervical denneroll received an average of 12 degrees of curve correction. Not only that, the curve remained even with 6 month, 1 year, and 2 year follow ups. There have been numerous studies on this that I referenced below to help with people that have cervicogenic dizziness, radiculopathy (pinched nerve), neck pain, low back pain, disc bulge, and more.

Chiropractic manipulation unfortunately has not been shown to make any changes in the neck curve. Does that mean changes can never happen - no. It just means that if you want more predictable and reliable results, incorporating Chiropractic Biophysics is necessary to make changes in conjunction with other therapies. Lastly, muscle spasm and tight muscle has not been shown to make any change of the neck curve. A study was done where people contracted their neck to mimic a muscle spasm/tight muscles and no change was observed on the X-ray. This means that tight muscles of the neck do not change the alignment of the neck curve.

With my patients, I use Chiropractic Biophysics to analyze and correct the cervical curvature through chiropractic adjustments, exercises, and traction specifically for the neck curve. If you wanted to learn more about Chiropractic Biophysics, visit www.idealspine.com. If you wanted to learn more from myself, feel free to email me at admin@optimalspineandbody.com.

References:

(1) Moustafa, I.M., Diab, A.A., Hegazy, F. et al. Does improvement towards a normal cervical sagittal configuration aid in the management of cervical myofascial pain syndrome: a 1- year randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 19, 396 (2018) doi:10.1186/s12891-018-2317-y

(2)Addition of a Sagittal Cervical Posture Corrective Orthotic Device to a Multimodal Rehabilitation Program Improves Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Discogenic Cervical Radiculopathy

Moustafa, Ibrahim M. et al.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 97, Issue 12, 2034 - 2044

(3)Moustafa IM, Diab AA, Harrison DE. The effect of normalizing the sagittal cervical configuration on dizziness, neck pain, and cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility: a 1-year randomized controlled study. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2017;53:57-71. DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.16.04179-4

(4)Diab, Aliaa Attiah Mohamed, and Ibrahim Moustafa Moustafa. “The Efficacy of Lumbar Extension Traction for Sagittal Alignment in Mechanical Low Back Pain: A Randomized Trial.” Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 26, no. 2, 2013, pp. 213–220., doi:10.3233/bmr-130372.

(5) Fedorchuk CA et al. Impact of Isometric Contraction of Anterior Cervical Muscles on Cervical Lordosis. J Radiol Case Rep. 2016 Sep 30;10(9):13-25. eCollection 2016 Sep.