By Dr. Kwok Bill Leung (B.ChiroSc, M.Chiro, B Physio)
A neck hump, often referred to as a Dowager’s hump, is a disorder that develops when the muscles in the upper back are overworked or weak, which causes an unnatural curvature of the spine. This ailment, which is frequently linked to bad posture, can be both uncomfortable and ugly. Although a neck hump can be challenging to cure, physiotherapy and chiropractic care can help with symptoms, reducing the appearance and enhance overall spinal health.
What Causes Neck Humps?
Incorrect spinal alignment and bad posture are the usual causes of a neck hump. An abnormal curvature of the spine can result from poor posture by making the upper back muscles weak or overstretched. This may result in a forward’s curvature in the spine and the formation of a hump. Osteoporosis, hormone imbalances, and specific drugs are additional causes that might cause the emergence of a neck hump.
Symptoms of Neck Humps
The aberrant curvature of the spine is the most typical sign of a neck hump. Shoulders, the upper back, and the neck may all experience discomfort and agony as a result. Other signs of a neck hump may include headaches, light-headedness, and breathing problems. In extreme circumstances, a neck hump can compress nerves, resulting in tingling and numbness in the hands and arms.
Chiropractic Care and Physiotherapy for Neck Humps
A non-invasive, drug-free treatment option that can help with neck humps is chiropractic care. Numerous methods are employed by chiropractors to straighten the spine and enhance general spinal health. Spinal adjustments, manual therapy, exercises and posture education, and stretches are a few examples of these methods.
Spinal Adjustments
Chiropractors utilise a technique called spinal adjustments to realign the spine and increase joint mobility. This can ease some neck humps symptoms by easing tension in the neck and shoulder muscles. Additionally, spinal manipulation can aid in enhancing nerve function, which can lessen the likelihood of nerve compression and the accompanying symptoms.
Manual Therapy
Chiropractors and Physiotherapist employ manual therapy and massage to ease muscular tension, enhance blood flow and increase joint mobility. This can lessen the likelihood of developing new spinal misalignments and improve neck humps’ symptoms. Techniques mobilising joints improve joint range of motion, mobility, and function.
Stretching Exercises
Stretching exercises can be beneficial for easing muscular tension and enhancing joint mobility. Specific exercises may be suggested by chiropractors and physiotherapist to reduce neck humps and enhance general spinal health. Stretching exercises for the neck, shoulders, and upper back muscles may be included in these workouts.
Exercise Therapy
Chiropractors and Physiotherapists also employ exercise treatment to ease muscular tension and increase joint mobility. Stretching, strengthening, and postural exercises are all possible in exercise therapy. The therapist will advise you on proper sitting and standing techniques, as well as ergonomic advice for workstations and other activities to optimise proper biomechanics. These exercises can enhance general spinal health and improve the mobility of the upper back and help facilitate the function and control of the weakened muscles.
Conclusion
The upper back, neck, and shoulders may all experience discomfort and agony because of a neck hump. The non-invasive, drug-free treatment modalities of chiropractic and physiotherapy allow reduce symptoms and enhance overall spinal health. Spinal manipulation, massage therapy, stretches, manual therapy, exercise therapy, and posture instruction are a few possible treatments. People can take a proactive approach to treating their neck hump and enhancing their general comfort and welfare by working with a healthcare practitioner and implementing modifications to their daily routine to enhance their health and lifestyle.
