Cervical instability
cervical instability and cervical pain are becoming leading issue of modern life.
The main cause of cervical instability is loosening and weakness of the posterior soft tissue elements, which are in-charge of the cervical spinal column stability.
Many important anatomical structures pass through the neck:
Spinal column – supporting the head via C1 vertebra.
Esophagus – moving food from the mouth to the stomach.
Airways – larynx, trachea/
Many muscles surround and support the neck, and are responsible to the neck posture and mobility. Moreover, they protect the spinal column and the cranial nerves from injury.
This is the reason for sore neck – a protective mechanism from injury.
The neck contains to kinds of nerves –
- Cervical spinal nerves
- Cranial nerves
The longest nerve of the human body, CN X, the Vagus nerve, starts in the brain, descends as the 10th cranial nerve through the neck, into the thorax and abdomen. The Vagus nerve innervates many autonomic systems in our body, including cardiac system, lungs and the GI tract.
Situations that may lead to cervical instability –
- Whiplash injury (MVA)
- Hyper extension of the neck
- Flexion of the neck (desk working, using your cellphone)
- Clicking
- Abdominal sleep
Cervical instability equals loosening of the ligaments and tendons surrounding the neck.
This lead to increase overload of the thoracic and lumbar spine, increased pressure of the Vagus nerve, and symptoms caused by Vagal dis-innervation of the autonomic systems.
More cervical instability leads to more symptoms, hence causing incremental deterioration of quality of life.
There are many types of cervical instability.
What are the symptoms of cervical instability?
How can we be affected?
Headaches / Migraines | Inability to maintain consistent body and skin temperature | Sensitivity to loud sound |
Vertigo | General weakness | Ear fullness |
High intracranial pressure | Burning sensation in the face and mouth | Pailful eyes |
Pain/sub-dislocations/dislocations in TMJ (jaw joints) | Excessive sweating | Skin sensitivity |
Feeling that the head is about to "fall" / difficult to hold | Sweating on the hands and feet | Visual disturbances |
Lack of concentration | Itching sensation in the skin | Blurred vision |
Memory problems | Hiccups | High intra-ocular pressure |
Brain fog | Difficulty swallowing | Cardiac / arrhythmic disorders |
imbalance | Nausea/vomiting | Dysautonomia |
Chronic fatigue syndrome | Reflux | |
Speech difficulties | Gastrointestinal problems | |
Anxiety and depression | Urinary incontinence | |
Emotional stress | Tinnitus |
In our clinic, we diagnose cervical instability using objective international indeces, while using imaging modalities.
We also offer individual tailor-made treatment protocol.
We use prolotherapy treatments, physical therapy and rehabilitation, food supplements etc.
Focused prolotherapy treatment to the cervical ligaments lead to increased stability of the tissues around the neck.
This will lead to significant decrease of symptoms, and better quality of life.
