Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooCervical Dislocation

A cervical dislocation is when one of the vertebrae (bones) in the neck is displaced, or slips out of position, on another (Mubark et al., 2021). Most dislocations are due to blunt trauma, such as a road traffic accident, a fall or a sports injury (Mubark et al., 2021; NINDS, 2026). The dislocation happens when the ligaments that hold the small bones of the spine together are torn, so that a vertebra is dislodged from its position in the column. Many people refer to a cervical dislocation as snapping the spine or breaking the neck, but these phrases often describe a fracture more than a dislocation (fracture and dislocation often occur together). Both can threaten the spinal cord, and how serious the injury is depends largely on whether the spinal cord is damaged (Mubark et al., 2021; NINDS, 2026).

EMERGENCY: if you think someone has injured their neck, for example in a car accident, fall or sports collision, call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital. For a suspected neck injury, calling 911 is usually best, so that paramedics can keep the head, neck and spine still and protect the spinal cord (NICE, 2016). Warning signs of a spinal cord injury include difficulty breathing and weakness, numbness or paralysis in the arms or legs (NINDS, 2026).

Cervical Dislocation Anatomy

Cervical dislocations are classified based on their location and injury pattern. Because the spine has a unique shape where it joins the head, neck injuries are often divided into craniocervical junction injuries (from the base of the skull, sometimes called C0, down to the second neck vertebra, C2) and subaxial cervical spine injuries (the third to seventh neck vertebrae, C3 to C7) (Mubark et al., 2021). Injuries can then be further grouped by their exact location and pattern.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or medical team

Rehabilitation

Once the medical team has made the injury stable, rehabilitation with physical therapy helps you rebuild strength and function (NINDS, 2026). I will only start treatment when your medical team says it is safe, and I'll work alongside their instructions, supporting your rehabilitation with hands-on care and exercise. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Tips

• Common causes of spinal cord injuries include vehicle accidents, falls, violence and sports. People aged 16 to 30 and people over 65, in whom falls are a common cause, are at higher risk (NINDS, 2026).
• Severe injuries can cause difficulty breathing and paralysis (NINDS, 2026).
• Injuries high in the neck (C1 to C4) can stop a person breathing on their own, and spinal cord damage can cause permanent paralysis (NINDS, 2026).

A cervical dislocation is a serious injury, and your hospital team leads your care. They stabilise the neck, decide whether you need surgery, a collar or a brace, and set what you can safely do. I work inside those limits, and I need your medical team's okay before any hands-on treatment.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your medical team to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

While Your Neck Is Protected

• Easing the shoulders, upper back and arms, which often tighten up while your neck is held still
• Comfortable, well-supported positions, with breathing and relaxation work
• Gentle movement of the joints that aren't involved, as your team allows

As You Recover

1. Mubark, I., Abouelela, A., Hassan, M., Genena, A. and Ashwood, N. (2021) 'Sub-axial cervical facet dislocation: a review of current concepts', Cureus, 13(1), e12581. doi: 10.7759/cureus.12581
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (2016) Spinal injury: assessment and initial management (NG41). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng41/chapter/Recommendations (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
3. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (2026) Spinal cord injury. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/spinal-cord-injury (Accessed: 7 October 2026).