Upper back humps have been concerning people for ages primarily just based on the way they look.
However, there is more than just aesthetics that can be a concern here. Mobility and function of the head, neck and upper back can become compromised and affect your ability to do everyday tasks due to decreased mobility.
Common causes are a Dowager’s hump along with Anterior head carriage/posture.
The Dowager’s hump is typically non-reversible and often comes from compression fractures secondary to osteoporosis and/or osteoarthritis that can wear down the joints of the vertebrae causing loss of height in the front by deterioration of compression fracture which increases the curve of the thoracic spine. This is known as a hyper-kyphosis.
Anterior head carriage/posture, is typically a postural change from where the head goes forward and the subsequent upper thoracic vertebra tilt out of place to create leverage with the muscles to help control the weight of your head going forward. Your body is constantly fighting this and is like trying to pull the reins on a horse.
Dowager’s humps typically cannot be reversed as where the anterior head carriage potentially can be with proper in office treatment and home activities.
The key to pursue correction is breaking the habits that caused the problem beginning with reversing the slouching, strengthening the back muscles that have become overstretched and weakened, as well as increasing the mobility of all the joints.
When this is performed properly and maintained through patient self activities, we can see a significant reduction of the anterior head carriage, and subsequent symptoms.
The big advantage is it restores normal postural alignment, which makes the entire spinal system perform with less effort. This results, in time, with less deterioration/wear and tear in, may potentially slow the onset of age-related spinal degeneration.
Other secondary concerns about posture sometimes need to be addressed, include breathing and rib cage mobility, hip flexor tightness and mid to lower thoracic spinal muscular weakness. These can occur as the head goes forward in the body attempts to adapt to pull it back into place.
Looking at the entire body as one movable, functional mechanism is very helpful when seeing this type of posture problem.
This Vitalistic view is one of the things that makes Chiropractors, unique in approach to helping. We do not break the body down into each individual component or system and believe it lives alone in a vacuum away from every other system of the body.
We look at the entire body as one functional unit. If your mechanical system doesn’t move right in your body and you don’t stay active, other systems like your digestive system could be potentially affected. As well as your circulatory system, particularly lymphatic drainage system, is dependent on your ability to keep moving and have your calves help pump fluid back up to the organs for filtration.
Everything in your body is designed to work together, so every piece needs to keep working as long as possible to give you the best life. That starts with good posture to keep you as the healthy you, you deserve to be.
Stay healthy, my friends,
Dr. Philip A. Mahan, DC,CCEP