Increasing the cervical and lumbar lordosis is possible despite overt osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis using extension traction to relieve low back and leg pain in a 66-year-old surgical candidate: a CBP® case report.

[Purpose] To present the case of the dramatic relief of low back pain, leg pain and disability in an older female with osteoarthritis, lumbar spinal stenosis and hypolordosis of the cervical and lumbar spine. [Participant and Methods] A 66-year-old female presented with chronic low back pain, right leg pain, numbness and weakness. Despite being recommended for surgery, the patient sought alternative treatment. The patient was treated with Chiropractic BioPhysics® rehabilitation of the spine with the objective to increase the lumbar and cervical lordoses. Cervical and lumbar extension exercises and traction were performed as well as spinal manipulation. Treatment was performed approximately three times per week for 6.5 months. [Results] Re-assessment after treatment demonstrated significant reduction of low back pain, leg pain and other health improvements. X-rays showed structural improvements in the cervical and lumbar spine despite advanced osteoarthritis. [Conclusion] Lumbar and cervical hypolordosis subluxation may be increased in those with spinal deformity caused symptoms, despite the presence of osteoarthritis and degenerative stenosis of the spine. Spinal x-rays as used in the assessment and monitoring of patients being treated with contemporary spinal rehabilitation methods are not harmful and should be used for routine screening purposes.

Alleviation of neck pain by the non-surgical rehabilitation of a pathologic cervical kyphosis to a normal lordosis: a CBP® case report.

[Purpose] To present a case of the therapeutic reversal of a cervical kyphosis into a lordosis in a patient who presented with neck pain and headaches. [Subject and Methods] A 24-year-old male irritated his neck while dancing. Upon examination it was revealed he had an excessive, 45 mm forward head translation and a 15° cervical kyphosis from C3-C6. The patient was treated with Chiropractic BioPhysics® methods aimed at restoring the cervical lordosis by mirror image®, neck extension exercises, cervical extension traction, and spinal manipulative therapy. [Results] After two weeks of treatments the patient reported a complete resolution of neck pain. After 24 treatments over 10-weeks, a lateral radiograph demonstrated the restoration of a cervical lordosis and a complete reduction of forward head translation. [Conclusion] This case demonstrates that a cervical kyphosis may be reversed into a lordosis in as little as 10-weeks by specific care incorporating cervical extension protocols. This case also supports the biomechanical literature that suggests those with cervical kyphosis may be predisposed to spinal injury. We suggest that correcting even asymptomatic patients with obvious cervical spine deformity should be accomplished prior to future injury and/or degenerative changes.