Title: The Cervical Spine – Understanding The Science Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction
1The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
The spine is a complex structure, comprised of
nerves, connective tissue, bones, discs, muscles
and other essential integrative components.
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2The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
Specifically, the cervical spine is a vulnerable
area that is commonly injured due to fall,
trauma, motor vehicle accident, stress, as well
as poor ergonomic setups, which all lead to pain.
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3The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
Basic anatomy When we look at the neck, there are
seven bones(vertebrae) that are part of the
supportive column of the spine.
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4The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
Within the cervical region, there are several key
anatomical structures that include spinous
process, transverse process, and facets, which
are an articular surface within the bone that
allows gliding of bones to occur.
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5The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
There are over 700 muscles in the human body.
Each with a specific function and task.
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6The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
Common injuries and causes of cervical spine The
most common are cervical whiplash,
osteoarthritis, disc injury including pinched
nerve(radiculopathy).
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7The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
a. Cervical whiplashMechanism of
injury/pathophysiology The term whiplash
commonly refers to symptoms and signs associated
with a mechanical event such as a sudden
acceleration and deceleration of the neck.
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8The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
b. Cervical osteoarthritis(degenerative disc
disease)Mechanism of injury/pathophysiology Is
termed the wear and tear arthritis because it is
thought that the articular cartilage breaks down
because of an imbalance between mechanical stress
and the ability of the joint to handle the given
loads.
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9The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
c. Cervical Radiculopathy(due to a pinched
nerve)Mechanism of injury/pathophysiology This
is where the cervical nerve root is
being compressed, resulting in inflammation,
creating local to peripheral pain(arm).
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10The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
d. Cervical disc injuryMechanism of
injury/pathophysiology A single incident, or
motion that involves a combined movement of
cervical flexion, rotation with side bending
repeated over and over may be the direct cause
for a cervical disc injury(Starkey, C.,
Johnson, G., 2006).
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11The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
Types of disc injuries1. In Protrusion or
bulge, there is change in the shape of the
annulus that it causes to bulge beyond its normal
perimeter.2. In Prolapse disc(herniation), the
ligamentous fibers give way, allowing the nucleus
to bulge into the neural canal. The disc is still
contained by the outer layers of the annulus
and supporting ligamentous structures.
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12The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
3. Extrusion is where the disc protrudes through
the annulus but is contained by the posterior
longitudinal ligament(PLL).4. Sequestration is
where the nuclear material/free floating piece of
the nucleus has partially separated from the
remaining nucleus, allowing it to be free in the
neural canal and moves into the epidural space.
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13The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
Common AssessmentsFor safety and based on the
clients past medical history, length of time from
injury and general health, I would recommend the
following assessments.
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14The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
Training strategies and programming for neck
injuriesWith any injury, the most important
thing to remember is the type of injury, healing
time and prior level of function of the client.
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15The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
a. Whiplash injuriesWhiplash injuries can take a
long to heal ranging form 3 months up to one year
in duration.
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16The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
b. Cervical degenerative disc disease(DDD)Recomme
ndations for training I would teach them
self-stretching of the upper trapezius and
pectorals, which are commonly tight.
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17The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
c. Cervical Radiculopathy due to pinched
nerveRecommendations for trainingMost clients
will have completed physical therapy before
meeting them and it would be an excellent segway
from rehabilitation to the gym, to contact the
clients physical therapist with their permission.
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18The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
d. Cervical Radiculopathy due to disc
injuryRecommendations for training Most clients
will have completed physical therapy before
meeting them and it would be an excellent segway
from rehabilitation to the gym, to contact the
clients physical therapist with their permission.
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19The Cervical Spine Understanding The Science
Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction By Chris
Gellert
The neck is a complex unit that is comprised of a
multitude of ligaments, tendons, connective
tissue, muscles that synergistically initiate and
correct movement, and stabilize when an unstable
environment.
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