You might notice you’re developing a bit of a hump – also called Dowager’s or Buffalo Hump – and think it’s entirely caused by poor posture. It’s true that heads are heavy. They weigh on average about 5 kg (11lb) – more than most newborn babies. This weight is balanced on seven vertebrae, stabilised by about twenty muscles and by leaning forward just a few degrees, that weight increases. It’s a good idea to improve your habitual posture but a marked neck hump is rarely caused by posture alone.
Other factors may be in operation, such as genetic conditions, compression fractures caused by osteoporosis or it might even be the result of steroid treatments. As we get older our vertebral discs dry up a bit and this can make you hunch forward too. Although there are several reasons why a hunch might develop, it’s often associated with pain, stiffness and restricted movement. The causes of a neck hump aren’t necessarily reversible but treatment with our chiropractors in Brighton and exercises we give you can help restore function to joints and relieve pain. Read on to find out how.
Can You Improve Dowager’s Hump?
If you notice that you’re naturally adopting a forward posture (your head juts forward), finding it hard to straighten up completely, or you become aware that the upper back’s thoracic vertebrae begin to look a bit like a rounded hunch, don’t despair. Our chiropractors will examine you to ascertain what’s causing the hump to develop, and then use a variety of different treatments to help you. For example, they can use manipulation to free stiff or restricted joints, or mobilisation to gently move joints or muscles manually. You might be recommended to see our physiotherapist or massage therapists to help your condition with soft tissue work, laser or acupuncture. You’ll be given advice on home exercises and rehabilitation which can help to tone and strengthen the muscles to gently pull up the shoulders and head.
Posture Check
On a daily basis, become aware of how you’re habitually carrying that heavy head with a regular postural check:
- Make sure your shoulders are slightly back and relaxed
- Feel that your head is in a neutral position with your chin more or less parallel to the ground
- Engage your core muscles to support your lower back by lifting your torso upwards.
Read our blog here to find out how to optimise working conditions when you’re desk-based. Best of all, come and see us for a full chiropractic assessment of your spine with our chiropractors in Brighton and find out what Sundial Clinics can do to help you.