preventing loss of curvature of the neck through stretching?

[AG13]

My chiropractor has told me that like many people, I'm losing the curve of my neck at the top--the cervical area, and suggested this contraption:

I've been using it for a while, but i'm wondering if there is a better way to prevent loss of cervical curve. I'm assuming the culprit may be a computer desk job, but any other ideas of why this is happening and how it can be prevented?

I am pretty careful about my posture, have all ergonomic stuff, and even a sit/stand desk, so I spend most of my time standing in front of my desk.

[Adurst]

IMHO....you don't need that...you can sell it in a garage sale with the Shake Weight and Ab Roller....but keep Chuck Norris's Total Gym.

I'd also get rid of your chiropractor.

This will all correct itself as you release the tight lines in your body, and fix strength and flexibility imbalances left/right, front/back, agonist/antagonist.

I like to start at my feet and work my way up....but lots of ways to go about it....maybe start in your tightest lines.

[Tris]

I used to have the same issue, and the explanation to me was that the back of my neck was too weak to keep my head in balance. Instead, it was constantly in protraction. A few times a week, I wrapped a stretch band around the back of my head and retracted my head against the resistance. 5-10 reps was plenty. It wasn't long before my head sat more centred.

The Posture Pump looks like an impressive gadget, but it wouldn't surprise me if you could get exactly the same benefits with simple neck and backbend stretching done regularly.

[Kit_L]

Agree completely with the advice given above. I have been told the same thing by a chiropractor too, once, and I have zero neck dysfunction, tension, or pain, either. Could be a treatment (or a device to sell) looking for a problem to solve. A rolled-up towel will do the same job.

[bibalong]

Slightly off topic, but would be curious to hear what you guy's thoughts are on chiro in general? Useful compliment to spinal/overall wellbeing? Or $50 fortnightly 5 minute light pat down...?

[Adurst]

This is my personal opinion

There are good chiropractors....but the good ones use a variety of methods from many different disciplines.

There are a lot of bad chiros...they treat babies, think they can cure autism, and believe they should replace GPs as the primary point of health care for families.

I have no respect for the organisation of the discipline, because it has been non-engaging even obstructive to science/evidence based practice documenting and validating the efficacy of the procedures and start the process of understanding the underlying biological processes.

Almost all other bodywork disciplines have been more engaging with western medicine and it's evidence based approach....including traditional Chinese medicine which western medicine now has adopted a significant number of practices with a supporting evidence base.

This is my opinion...and people will refute some of the above...and I can be swayed with good evidence.

Here is an ABC catalyst episode on the topic

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3801081.htm

Edit: I will add that I believe that chiro is the manifestation of the failings of western medicine...and western medicine should take note and evolve to address the issues

[Kit_L]

Adam, Catalyst is not the strongest supporter you might get for your position. I would put most of its programs in the "scientistic" basket, not the scientific one.

And as much of what we talk about here on the Forums is arguing against a solely evidence-based approach, use that excellent mind of yours to consider other ways of making the same point (only as an exercise, and of you feel so inclined, or course). You might, for example, look at the competing theoretical perspectives put forward to explain the cracking sounds that accompany the high velocity-low amplitude adjustments that are typical of chiropractic. Or look at the before and after adjustment X-ray studies that have been done (and, if you go down that road) consider all the structures and tissues that X-rays can't see).

[Adurst]

Kit...my biggest issue isn't with the techniques or the fact that there are effective practices, but the way the profession chooses to behave.

I know there are lots of great techniques, from many disciplines.

Edit (too strong and not constructive): some of the peak bodies and organizers are not working cooperatively in the best interest of the knowledge base

I agree about catalyst...except that in this case it illustrates this point about the peak body.

I know many (all would presumptuous and hubris) the issues of evidence based practice...however I am a believer. My masters was on evidence based management...I'm published and have presented at conferences on the topic.

It is the obstruction of the profession in participating that I have an issue with....not that it has techniques that are valuable and effective...but we'll never know at this rate

Edit: End goal should still be to have an evidence base and support for the scientific mechanisms.

Edit 3: (I can't leave this alone)

Seriously?

A chiro can cure

- autism

- autoimmune diseases

- asthma

- colic and breast feeding issues

They can negate the need for vaccinations?

Babies need adjustments? One of which last year in Australia resulted in a death of an infant.

They can replace a GP?

These are things that prevent me from even getting to a point where I'm interested...too many other awesome things to learn.

Although I'm sure there are great techniques and practices within the profession.

[Kit_L]

some of the peak bodies and organizers are not working cooperatively in the best interest of the knowledge base

I don't doubt that for a nanosecond. Like politicians, drug companies, most peak bodies... And I am a HUGE fan of the scientific method (what I did PhD research into); just not a fan of it being considered the sine qua non of thinking, or the commonly presented 'over-reach' of its alleged role in a deeper lived experience.

I am not a fan of chiropractic (or any other practitioner-applied method), if a self-help technique can substitute (think locus of control and self-knowledge missed opportunities). OTOH, if I break my leg, I will be going to Emergency.

What I wrote was only to give you two possibly fruitful lines of inquiry that I know from my own research will provide more of what you need (in respect of chiropractic) in pursuit of support for your thesis as outlined above in your various posts. The tragedy of what has happened to TCM in Australia is that only the parts that are supported by evidence (narrowly construed) have been accepted into Western medicine—but there is so much more to it. The underlying cosmology of TCM is so different to the underlying cosmology of Western medicine that it is really only at the level of anatomy that real commensurability exists. This is why I chose western anatomy as the system to talk about my own approach: in all systems of medicine currently existing on Earth, "the knee bone is connected to the ankle bone". Below that, a different world; above that, politics and economics.

[Adurst]

@kit

thank you...I show my hubris and bear like nature regardless

[Kit_L]

And we love you for it! This is the Socratic method, not as an idea, but an experience/interaction, where learning might be possible.

[Adurst]

Thanks again Kit.

Your lines of inquiry provided some interesting reading tonight.

One thing I learned is how many X-rays many chiropractors use in their practice. Some of them for identifying issues that would be apparent with the naked eye...or for identifying subluxations...which have never proven to exist...which then begs the question of how you see them on the xray.

I'm a little confused by theories of the joint "cracking"...my understanding is that

1) most commonly a low pressure environment is created and cavitation within the synovial fluid occurs...as a high pressure environment returns the cavitation collapses and creates a sound

2) synovial fluid gets caught on one side of the joint space...becomes highly pressurized and then hits a critical pressure to push thru to the other side...this high pressure rush causes a noise.

I do see that some chiropractors talk about adhesions within the joint space breaking as the source...which probably would make a noise...but I doubt in the same manner as a typical joint cracking sound.

My favorite quote from tonight was from a review of 10 studies put out by a peak body for chiropractic practices as evidence to support its efficacy.

"If these 10 studies are the best chiropractic research, that means the quality of chiropractic research is appallingly poor."