Loss of cervical lordosis
The loss of your normal cervical lordosis is a common occurrence after a whiplash or whiplash like trauma, falling down is an example of whiplash like trauma..
However, there may be many other causes not related to trauma. Chronic poor posture is a common cause.  
Loss of norphysiological lordosis means that the cervical portion of the spinal column no longer has it's normal forward curvature in static posture, therefore no longer has its normal function in your dynamic functional posture.
Radiographs of the cervical spine to the left shows the slow progressive nature of the  development of pathology.​
                                            Orthopedic problems and neurological problems
When there is a loss of cervical lordosis with no obvious recent trauma the assumptions may be two.
  • A trauma in the distant past was sufficient to affect the normal static and dynamic posture.
  • The spine has lost it's normal curve for another reason: chronic poor posture when seated in the car, at the computer, when composing text messages, or simply the habit of sleeping prone are some common causes.
Once the normal cervical lordosis is lost, two problems begin at the same time: Arthropathy and Neuropathy.
  • Arthropathy: Biomechanically the soft articular tissues of the spine now become chronically overloaded beyond normal postural limits with normal movement. The consequence is a slow progressive pathology of the cervical spine. Osteoarthritis, spondylosis, stenosis, stretched ligaments, disc problems, bulging disc, disc protrusion and disc herniation are all eventual possible pathologies. The symptomatology of these types of articular lesions are generally localised  pains.
  • Neuropathy: Neurologically mechanical irritation begins of the dural sac, spinal cord or spinal nerve roots, followed by eventual compression of the same tissue. Symptoms vary according to the type of nerve tissue compromised, sensory or motor, or mixed sensory and motor. As a result the symptoms that predominate can be sensory or motor or mixed disorders.​ 
  • Motor disturbances may affect one or more limbs and can predominate proximally or distally. The legs can tire easily and you can have a feeling of insecurity or instability while standing or walking. Arms may tire easily or you may notice that your grip becomes weak. Associated articulations, especially the  knees, elbows or wrists are at risk of secondary articular pathology do to the decreased motor stability. 
irritation of the cervical dural sac
possible areas of symptoms caused by irritation of the sac dural sac
pain in the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand, from the cervical spine Referral of symptoms to the shoulder or arm due to cervical neuropathy
Sensory symptoms
  • pain
  • burning
  • pins and needles 
  • numbness
  • shock like sensations
  • sensation of cold limbs

​Motor problems
  • Feeling weak in the arms or hands, difficulty lifting a weight or loss of grip strength.
  • Decrease in leg strength and/or stability, fatigue when walking or going up or down stairs.
                      The problem grows
​This constant irritation of the motor neurons causes the formation of trigger points in the muscles served by those motor neurons, thus the cause of the trigger point can be distant to the trigger point just as the symptoms of the trigger point  can be remote to the trigger point. This additional pathology further impedes muscle coordination (antagonist / agonist) in addition to the general muscle weakness created by chronic irritation of the motor neurons. Therefore to solve peripheral symptoms you need to resolve both the nearby trigger point and it's cause at the level of the spine.
To summarize, it is important to have a comprehensive global approach to a local or regional problem. Awareness and self-management of the condition outside the clinic along with the proper therapy in the clinic creates a healing environment necessary for recovery and to live well long term with this pre-existing condition.