Manual therapy of a cervical spinal blockage

The manual therapy of a cervical spine blockage must be performed carefully. As mentioned above, the therapist carries out some safety tests to determine whether a treatment may be performed at all. These are mainly provocations which exclude vascular disorders.

The therapist then detects the blockage by palpating the vertebrae downwards from the atlas and checking how they are positioned in relation to each other. If one is not in the correct position, the therapist tries to mobilize it. If the therapist notices too much tension in the musculature, this is lowered using soft tissue techniques.

A further mobilization shows whether a change in the spinal position works at all. If nothing changes, the therapist must perform a manipulation. However, this should only be done in the case of severe complaints and by a well-trained therapist.

The therapist adjusts the cervical spine to the appropriate position and releases the blockage with a cautious thrust. If he feels a defensive posture of the patient or a strong muscle tension, a manipulation should not be performed under any circumstances. The time until the next treatment can be bridged by a self-exercise program and heat therapy. The article Manual Therapy might still be of interest to you in this regard.

Exercises for a cervical spine blockage

A cervical blockage often results in increased muscle tone in the shoulder area due to restricted movement. If the blockade is released, the movement is restored, but the tone only decreases slowly. This leads to reduced blood circulation and, as the disease progresses, to deposits.

Already during a cervical spine blockade, loosening exercises can be performed, which are mainly triggered by shoulder circling. In addition, care should be taken that the head and shoulders are not pulled too far into the relieving position. Move the head as far as possible.

In the acute phase, further exercises are not recommended, as the exercises could increase the tension and pain. For a preventive strengthening of the entire shoulder-neck area, exercises for the rhomboids, back extensor, latissimus and short neck muscles should be performed in particular.

Exercises for the rhomboids: hold upright seat, abdomen and back tension, pull elbows past the body at a 90° angle and pull shoulder blades together (rowing) Alternatively, the exercise can be performed in the prone position and reinforced with a bar or theraband.
Exercises for the latissimus: hold upright seat, abdomen and back tension, stretch arms upwards and pull elbows down the sides at a 90° angle and pull shoulder blades together (load pulling) Alternatively, the exercise can be performed in the prone position and reinforced with a bar or theraband.
Exercises for the back extensors: Prone position, hold hands at the temples and lift upper body upwards.
Alternatives are, as mentioned above, the execution in prone position for latisimus and rhomboids.
Exercises for the short neck muscles: lie on your back, raise your head and try to hold it for several seconds and then put it down again. Slowly increase the duration. Rotate head to the side, forming an abutment on the cheek with the hand and then turn the head back against the light pressure of the hand.
General relaxation exercises for the trapezius ensure that the tension does not become too strong. The trapezius is stretched by pressing down the shoulder and tilting the head to the opposite side. In addition, regular shoulder circling and stretching of the chest muscle by stretching the arms backwards ensures regular blood circulation.