Cervical Hypolordosis (Rectification)

Cervical - Postural

Flattening or reduction of the normal cervical lordotic curve. It is a postural/structural finding that can be associated with altered head/neck strategies, protective stiffness, and changes in load distribution.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Altered cervical segmental alignment commonly associated with protective stiffness, sustained forward head posture, prolonged flexed postures, and reduced thoracic contribution during upright tasks and arm movements.

Clinical Rationale

Improving movement strategies and load distribution may reduce excessive cervical stress and improve function and symptom tolerance, even if structural alignment does not fully change.

Practical Solution

Reduce sustained flexed positions and improve cervical-thoracic movement strategies through targeted mobility, motor control, and postural endurance work (without assuming structural normalization).

Common Compensations

• Forward head posture
• Upper cervical extension
• Increased thoracic kyphosis

Correctives

• Deep neck flexor activation
• Thoracic extension mobility
• Postural endurance drills

Progression

1. Level 1: Supine activation
2. Level 2: Seated control
3. Level 3: Standing integration
4. Level 4: Functional integration

Regression

• Reduce hold time
• Use supported positions
• Shorten ROM

Red Flags

• Severe or progressive neurological symptoms
• Recent trauma
• Night pain

Differential Diagnosis

• Cervical disc pathology
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Cervicogenic headache

Related Patterns

• forward head posture
• upper crossed syndrome
• thoracic kyphosis

Related Exercises

• chin tuck
• dnf activation
• thoracic extension foam roller

Related Assessments

• postural assessment
• ccft assessment