A neck hump, often referred to as a dowager’s hump or kyphosis, is a condition where the upper back becomes rounded, leading to a noticeable bump at the base of the neck, causing cosmetic concern and physical discomfort. While some may see it as an inevitable reality, a neck hump can develop for various reasons, many of which are manageable with chiropractic treatments. However, chiropractic care cannot fully resolve all causes of dowager’s humps. In this article, we’ll explore the different causes of dowager’s humps and how chiropractic care can help.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is focused on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those related to the spine. The central premise of chiropractic care is that proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure allows it to heal without surgery or medication. Chiropractors use hands-on spinal adjustments and other manual therapies to restore mobility to joints restricted by tissue injury and repetitive stress. Chiropractic care also incorporates a holistic approach to treatment, including exercise recommendations, lifestyle advice, and ergonomic modifications.
Neck Hump Causes That Chiropractic Care Can Help With
Chiropractic care is particularly effective for addressing neck humps that result from musculoskeletal and posture-related issues. Below are the primary causes of neck humps that chiropractic care can effectively manage, along with an explanation of how these treatments can help.
Poor Posture
Poor posture is one of the most common causes of a neck hump. Prolonged slouching and forward head posture, whether from sitting at a desk for long hours or frequently looking down at a smartphone, also known as “tech neck,” can lead to a forward curvature of the spine, causing the upper back to round and a noticeable hump to form at the base of the neck.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic care is highly effective in addressing posture-related neck humps. Through spinal adjustments, chiropractors realign the spine to correct the forward curvature creating the hump. Additionally, chiropractors can provide exercises to strengthen your back and neck muscles that support good posture and offer ergonomic advice, such as setting up your workspaces or adjusting daily habits to maintain proper posture.
Muscle Imbalance
Muscle imbalances are caused by repetitive movements, poor posture, or a lack of strength training, particularly in the muscles that support the spine. When the muscles in the shoulders, cervical, and thoracic spine are weak, and chest muscles are tight, the imbalance can pull the spine out of its natural alignment, creating a forward curve in the cervical spine, resulting in a dowager’s hump.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic care can effectively address muscle imbalances by focusing on the spine’s alignment and the surrounding muscles’ condition to realign the vertebrae and reduce abnormal curvature. Additionally, they may incorporate soft tissue therapies, such as massage therapy or myofascial release, to relieve tension in the tight chest muscles and specific exercises to strengthen the upper back and shoulder muscles.
Spinal Conditions (e.g., Kyphosis, Spondylosis)
Certain spinal conditions, such as kyphosis and spondylosis, can lead to the development of a neck hump. Kyphosis refers to an excessive forward curvature of the upper spine caused by poor posture, degenerative diseases, or vertebral fractures. Spondylosis, on the other hand, is a form of spinal arthritis that can cause wear and tear on the vertebrae, leading to spinal misalignment.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
While it may not cure the underlying spinal condition, chiropractic care can significantly improve quality of life by reducing pain, enhancing mobility, and helping to prevent the hump from worsening. In addition, chiropractors can incorporate therapies such as traction and supplementary exercise to relieve pressure and strengthen the spine.
Sedentary Lifestyle and Obesity
When a person spends long periods sitting or remaining inactive, especially in poor posture, the muscles that support the spine weaken, leading to poor spinal alignment, which can eventually result in a neck hump. Obesity can exacerbate this issue by adding extra weight, particularly around the upper back and neck, placing additional strain on the spine. The combination of inactivity and excess weight can create a cycle of poor posture, muscle weakness, and spinal misalignment, all contributing to the formation of a neck hump.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic care can effectively address the impacts of both a sedentary lifestyle and obesity on spinal health. Chiropractic adjustments, tailored exercises, and stretches realign and strengthen the muscles weakened by inactivity and improve overall posture. Additionally, chiropractors may offer lifestyle advice to help patients incorporate more physical activity into their routines. While chiropractic care cannot directly address obesity, it can alleviate the musculoskeletal issues associated with both inactivity and excess weight, helping to reduce or eliminate a neck hump.
Injury or Trauma
Accidents such as falls, car crashes, or sports injuries can cause vertebral fractures, dislocations, or muscle strain that disrupts the spine’s natural alignment. The body’s natural response to injury, such as inflammation and muscle guarding, can further exacerbate the condition by pulling the spine into an abnormal position. When the spine is misaligned due to trauma, it can result in a forward curvature of the upper back and the formation of a neck hump.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic care can be highly beneficial in treating neck humps that result from injury or trauma. By addressing the misalignments caused by trauma, chiropractic care can reduce the curvature of the spine that leads to a neck hump. In addition to adjustments, chiropractors may use other therapeutic techniques, such as soft tissue therapies like medical massage, to help reduce muscle tension and inflammation around the injury site. These therapies aid in the recovery process and help reduce the neck hump, preventing it from becoming a permanent issue.
Chiropractic Care Has a Limited Impact on Certain Dowager’s Hump Causes
While chiropractic care may not directly address the root causes of specific conditions creating a neck hump, it can still play a valuable role in managing symptoms and improving the quality of life for those affected by reducing pain, improving function, and enhancing overall well-being. Here are some conditions where chiropractic care has limited impact on the root cause but can still provide supportive care:
- Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more prone to fractures, including compression fractures in the vertebrae. These fractures can lead to a forward curvature of the spine and the development of a neck hump.
- Genetics: Some individuals are genetically predisposed to developing a neck hump due to inherited traits that affect bone structure, posture, and spinal health.
- Age-Related Changes: As people age, the spine undergoes natural wear and tear, which can result in increased curvature and the formation of a pronounced neck hump over time.
- Endocrine Disorders (e.g., Cushing’s Syndrome): Endocrine disorders like Cushing’s syndrome can cause abnormal fat deposits in the upper back and neck, contributing to the development of a neck hump.
- Congenital Defects: Some individuals are born with congenital spinal anomalies that predispose them to spinal curvature and the formation of a neck hump from a young age.
- Chronic Use of Steroids: Long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to weakened bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures, which can contribute to a neck hump.
We Provide Chiropractic Treatment for People with Dowager’s Humps in Seattle
A neck hump can be a source of both physical discomfort and cosmetic concern. Understanding its causes is the first step in addressing it effectively. Chiropractic care can be highly effective for specific causes and play a more limited role with others. While it may not directly address the root cause, it can relieve discomfort, improve spinal mobility, and help maintain better posture. If you’re dealing with a neck hump and are unsure of the cause, consulting with a chiropractor can be an essential step in your journey to better spinal health.
At Flourish Chiropractic Spa, we offer personalized assessments and proper treatment plans designed to address your unique needs. Whether your neck hump is due to posture issues, injury, or another underlying condition, we’re here to help you on the path to a healthier, more comfortable life. Schedule your first appointment with us today to take the first step toward better posture and neck health.
