The 3 Absolutely Critical Keys to Overcoming Low Back Pain with Neck Adjustments

You might be wondering what the *&%# does the neck have to do with low back pain. And, I completely understand if that was your first reaction. But, give me a little time and hopefully I can answer that. 

Have you noticed that we like to divide the body into systems and parts? It helps studying it but we lose something in doing so. The medical profession has gone so far to have doctors specialize in different organs and systems like:

  • Cardiology – the heart
  • Gastroenterology – the digestive system
  • Dermatology – the skin
  • Urology – the bladder and kidneys

While it’s understandable, in the process we lose a little appreciation for the entire body as a whole. We divide the spine into Cervical (neck), Thoracic (mid back), Lumbar (low back) and Pelvis. And, many practitioners will only focus on the area that hurts. I rarely find the source of the problem at the location of the pain.

What we sometimes lose track of is that the entire spine is connected and is one single unit. We have artificially divided the spine into 4 areas when it is a single spine.  What happens in the neck influences the low back and vice versa. Sometimes it is essential to take a step back and look at the whole rather than the smallest of parts. 

The Neck is Critical…Why?

The cervical spine is unique and very different from the rest of the spine. Here are a few unique aspects of the neck. 

  • The neck must balance the weight of the head which averages 11 lbs.
  • Every inch the head moves forward effectively adds another 11 lbs to the weight the neck must hold up.
  • There are arteries that pass through the neck that don’t travel through the rest of the spine
  • The brainstem is in the upper neck and this is the control center for many body functions
  • Every nerve of the spinal cord travels through the neck.

The delicate neck has a combination of very important nerves along with the responsibility of balancing the head. So much can and does go wrong and the impact is experienced through the entire body. 

Let’s explore how restoring neck function can impact lower back pain…

3 Keys to Overcoming Low back Pain with Neck Adjustments

Key #1: Cervical Curve: if the neck loses its natural curve it puts tension on the spinal cord and impacts the neurology and mechanics of the entire spine. This causes an increase in muscle tension and spasm and is a significant contributing factor in low back pain.

Effort needs to be made to restore the normal cervical curve to allow greater ease throughout the entire spine, not just the neck. When the neck has a good curve there is much less muscle tension throughout the body. 

Key #2: Upper Cervical Spine: the very top of the neck is home to the brainstem. Any imbalance of the top 2 vertebrae can put tension on the brain stem. This can impact muscle tension and spasm, sleep, digestion, and the balance of the entire spine. Restoring balance to the occiput, C1, and C2 are critical to reducing tension and pressure on the entire nervous system. 

Brainstem pressure activates the “Fight-or-Flight” system and can interfere with quality sleep and drive inflammation up. 

Key #3: Cervical Joint Mobility: the entire spine consists of 24 vertebrae and 3 pelvic bones. The joints between all these bones serve a purpose, to allow movement. Any time there is a restriction or loss of movement it causes a ripple effect of adaptations and compensations. The lower back is the end of the spine and any compensations there have nowhere else to go.

While my focus here has been the role of cervical adjustments in overcoming low back pain, the same holds true for the entire spine. Low back pain is a combination of mechanical and neurological problems. 

The solution is to restore balance and normal joint function through the entire spine. Because of its intimate relationship with the brainstem and spinal cord the cervical spine is key.

Routinely I will find a loss of motion in the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis. After an adjustment to the upper neck full motion is often immediately restored to the pelvis. Yes, the lower back and pelvis should be evaluated but the neck is a key to full recovery. 

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