Can neck posture affect hip and low back pain?

The spine works as one structure. In this 47-year-old patient, his low back was over compensating for his anterior head carriage, which explained the back and hip pain he came in with. As his head carriage and rounded shoulders corrected, he returned to his preferred activities.

What is anterior head carriage?

Anterior head carriage describes how far forward the head sits in front of the shoulders. It often comes with rounded shoulders and places added stress on the neck. This patient's anterior head carriage and rounded shoulders almost completely resolved in three months.

Why can X-ray numbers look worse when posture improves?

Measurements read in isolation can miss a biomechanical change. If all you did was read this patient's numbers, you would conclude he was worse off. His re-evaluation films showed his actual neck curve and the ideal line significantly closer together, meaning his posture had improved greatly.

Can subluxation correction improve sleep and energy?

Correcting subluxation is aimed at restoring the brain body connection. After three months of care this patient reported greater activity, more energy, improved sleep, and the ability to work for longer periods without having to stop.

Neck Subluxation, Forward Head Carriage, and Hip Pain at 47

Q: How long was this patient's care plan?

Based on his exam and X-ray findings, we recommended a three-month care plan to initiate subluxation correction and help him restore normal biomechanics. His re-evaluation films were taken at the end of that plan.

How He Came In

In this month’s SPINAL CORRECTION SPOTLIGHT, we are reviewing the comparison x-rays of a 47-year-old male. He initially came to us for help with a hip issue that was interrupting his ADLs significantly. He was unable to exercise and the pain and discomfort were beginning to interrupt his comfort while working. We took x-rays and (on the left) and saw a decent cervical and lumbar curve. Based on exam and x-ray findings we recommended a 3-month care plan to initiate subluxation correction and help him restore normal biomechanics.

Clinical Findings — March 2024 Spinal Correction Spotlight

Patient: 47-year-old male

Presenting complaints: A hip issue significantly interrupting his ADLs; unable to exercise; discomfort while working

X-ray type: Lateral cervical and lateral lumbar

Initial X-ray: A decent cervical and lumbar curve, with forward head carriage and rounded shoulders

Re-evaluation X-ray: Actual curve and ideal line significantly closer in the neck; forward head carriage and rounded shoulders almost completely resolved

Care span: 3-month care plan

Outcome: Returned to his preferred ADLs; more activity and energy; improved sleep; able to work longer without stopping

Cervical Lateral — Before & After

Initial lateral cervical X-ray showing forward head carriage in a 47-year-old man, Rochet Family Chiropractic Royal Palm Beach

Before — Initial X-Ray

Re-evaluation lateral cervical X-ray showing head carriage reduced after three months of care, Rochet Family Chiropractic Royal Palm Beach

After — Re-Evaluation

Lumbar Lateral — Before & After

Initial lateral lumbar X-ray of a 47-year-old man with hip and low back pain, Rochet Family Chiropractic Royal Palm Beach

Before — Initial X-Ray

Re-evaluation lateral lumbar X-ray after three months of corrective care, Rochet Family Chiropractic Royal Palm Beach

After — Re-Evaluation

Reading the Films: Forward Head Carriage and Neck Subluxation

At first site, and if all you do is read the numbers, you would conclude that he was worse off than before he started. However, when you understand the biomechanical changes, this was a powerful correction. Look how far the red line in his neck was from the green. In the re-evaluation x-rays, those 2 lines have gotten significantly closer, meaning his posture has improved greatly. He had forward head carriage and rounded shoulders which have almost completely resolved. Now we know why he was having the back and hip pain: his low back was over compensating for his anterior head carriage. By correcting his subluxations, we were able to restore his brain body connection, improving how his nerve system controlled the musculoskeletal system.

Three Months Later

Not only has he been able to return to his preferred ADLs, but he is realizing greater activity and more energy. Sleep has improved and his ability to work for greater periods, without having to stop, has also improved.

Reminder: I am NOT the healer. I move the BONE; God does the HEALING. You are a self-healing organism, and when you are subluxation free, not only does YOUR spine heal, but YOUR body expresses life, the way YOU were created to do!

Have You Ever Had Your Spine Checked for Subluxation?

Dr. Romar Rochet provides subluxation-based chiropractic care in Royal Palm Beach, serving Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, and the greater West Palm Beach area. A full structural X-ray analysis is part of your initial new patient visit.

Have Your Spine Checked for Subluxation

Or call us at (561) 795-3156

Learn more about vertebral subluxation and the nervous system.