In a normal healthy person, there is a curvature in the neck spine with an opening facing backwards. This is medically called cervical lordosis. This curvature is flattened by incorrect posture disorders acquired in working life or by incorrect lying and use of inappropriate pillows. As a result, a condition called neck flattening occurs. When the neck spine is curved, the channels through which the nerves to the arms pass are the largest. In straightening of the neck, the bony channels through which the nerves go to the arms narrow, and this causes numbness and pain in the arms. In addition, the vagus nerve, which is the 10th cranial nerve that passes through the neck and regulates the work of our internal organs, is also stretched with neck straightening. As a result, the functioning of the vagus nerve is impaired. This causes problems such as palpitations, shortness of breath, bloating in the stomach, indigestion, gas and constipation. Neck flattening also creates tension in the trapezius muscle, which covers a large area up to the middle of the neck and back.
Painful back and neck points called trigger points occur. All these not only reduce the quality of life, but also create complaints that reduce work efficiency, such as difficulty in concentration, irritability, and drowsiness, especially in people who are busy with a job. Therefore, it is important to preserve the cervical lordosis. Especially with the widespread use of laptop computers, there has been a significant increase in the number of people with complaints. As for the things to be done to protect the cervical lordosis; If you’re using a desktop computer, raise the bottom edge of the monitor to eye level, if you’re using a laptop, take a break every 20 minutes and rest your neck back. For those who deal with jobs that require leaning forward (such as accountants, students, teachers, those working in organizations that make mass production with the band system), 10-minute breaks and neck exercises in 1-1.5 hour periods will increase work efficiency and employee satisfaction. As it is known, approximately 1/3 of a day is spent in sleep. If we adopt the right sleeping position and sleep with the right pillow, this will be a plus element added to our treatment process. For the human spine, lying face down is not a suitable sleeping position. If possible, try to sleep in the right or left side-lying position. Use a pillow about one shoulder width apart. Your pillow should be of medium firmness. Use a scarf in winter.
Neck flattening is a treatable but recurrent condition. Therefore, continue to do your neck exercises even when you have no complaints. As neck flattening recurs, your chances of developing a herniated disc increase. Stay well…
