J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1983 Mar; 6(1): 17-23.

An evaluation of the effect of chiropractic manipulative therapy on hypolordosis of the cervical spine.

Leach RA.

Cervical curve depth (CCD) was radiographically evaluated in 35 patients who presented with cervical hypolordosis or kyphosis (CH/K). Of these, one group of 20 patients received chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT) for the purpose of correcting the disorder. A second group of nine patients received both CMT and an orthopedic cervical pillow for in home correction of the CH/K. A control group of six patients received CMT which was not intended to correct the CH/K. The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of CMT in the correction of CH/K. Analysis of the data indicated that CMT is significantly effective in the treatment of CH/K. There was a mean improvement of 4.55 degrees (p less than 0.01) in the group receiving only CMT, as assessed by CCD radiographic analysis. There was also significant improvement of 2.22 degrees (p less than 0.05) in the group receiving both CMT and orthopedic cervical pillow therapy. The findings lend support to fundamental chiropractic tenets such as that spinal manipulation is beneficial in correcting biomechanical disorders of the spine. Specifically, the study documents the role of chiropractic care in the correction of CH/K as may result from postural, musculoligamentous, or traumatic etiology such as the so-called "whiplash" injury.