Is it really good to have a straight spine?

This is the 4836th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

We often say that people should "stand up straight", which not only reflects a mental state, but also reflects integrity. However, in daily life, if the original physiological curvature of the spine becomes straight, it is not necessarily a good thing.

Due to changes in modern people's lifestyles and work styles, they spend more and more time with their heads down throughout the day. Over time, the normal physiological curvature of the cervical spine (the top of the arc is forward) gradually decreases, disappears, or even becomes reversed (the top of the arc is backward), causing various discomforts.

Why does straightening the cervical spine cause various discomforts?

The cervical spine becomes straight, changing its original physiological curvature. The mechanical environment of various tissues around the cervical spine (including intervertebral discs, anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, facet joints, supraspinous and interspinous ligaments, various muscles, etc.) is always in a poor state, and various symptoms will appear over time.

What symptoms does straightening the cervical curvature cause?

The first symptoms of straightening of the cervical curvature are often pain and discomfort in the back of the neck, feeling groggy and heavy in the head, and headache in the back of the head. Some patients will experience blurred vision and dizziness. In severe cases, bilateral or unilateral upper limb numbness and numbness of the fingers may occur.

What to do if the curvature becomes straight?

The main thing is to change the bad habits of using the cervical spine. Reduce the time of bowing your head, strengthen the functional training of the neck, and do cervical spine exercises during work or class breaks. Adjust the height and shape of the pillow, and use the "pillow therapy" to effectively correct the physiological curvature of the cervical spine. That is, use a cylindrical pillow and place it under the neck. Pay attention to adjusting the height of the pillow. On the one hand, the curvature of the cervical spine should be padded out, that is, there is a feeling of support under the neck; on the other hand, the back of the head (occipital part) cannot leave the bed. Of course, acupuncture, physical therapy and other methods can also be used as auxiliary methods. Massage should be cautious. If you want to use this method, you should first undergo an MRI examination to rule out vertebral artery type and spinal cord type cervical spondylosis, and the technique should be gentle.

How to prevent it?

Avoid working with your head down for long periods of time

Change the head and neck position regularly and practice long-sightedness regularly. Adjust the height and inclination of the workbench in time. If the workbench is too high or too low, the neck will be stretched or flexed. People who work at desks for a long time should carry out exercise during work breaks to keep the cervical spine in a fatigued state in balance from time to time.

Neck muscle strengthening exercises

Properly increasing exercise and strengthening the neck muscle strength training can maintain the physiological curvature of the cervical spine and avoid cervical instability and serious consequences. You must develop good habits of using the cervical spine at ordinary times.

Keep your neck warm and avoid getting cold

Author: Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Third Central Hospital

Guo ShuzhangChief Physician