No doubt, the use of cell phones and computers has completely revolutionized our world. Many businesses now became online, and has reduced the need for 9 to 5 jobs.
Unfortunately, that must come with a price. The prevalence of heart disease, hypertension, and other chronic conditions had a monkey jump in the last few years. Additionally, postural problems, like upper crossed syndrome, become common due to the countless hours spent on computers and cell phones.
Specifically, the upper crossed syndrome has a prevalence of 37% among Pakistani students. This article will dig into the science of upper crossed syndrome, understanding its mechanisms and symptoms, and see if we can improve it by modifying our lifestyles(1).
Upper Crossed Syndrome refers to specific postural changes, including cervical lordosis (abnormal inward curve of spine), forward head posture, thoracic kyphosis (abnormal rounding of the upper back), protracted shoulders, and scapulae winging. These changes can lead to a decrease in the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint's strength and stability; furthermore, it is associated with various musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder, neck, and head.
Poor posture is the most critical risk factor for Upper Crossed Syndrome. Consequently, it is not unusual to expect it frequently among adolescents; it is associated with sustained periods of sitting behind monitors. Rarely, the condition can develop as a result of an injury or congenital defect(2).
Upper Crossed Syndrome symptoms can vary from person to person, depending on its severity. They tend to be found together rather than separately. They include:
● Headache
● Fatigue
● Lower neck back
● Back pain
● Pain around the shoulder
● Jaw pain
● Inability to sit to read or watch TV
● Chest pain
● Numbness and tingling of upper arms (usually indicates a severe condition due to impingement of nerves that supply your arms)(3)
Postural muscles, as the name implies, are responsible for keeping our posture. Being able to stand or sit is maintained by different groups of muscles. The balance between these muscles is affected in upper crossed syndrome, leading to the characteristic features of the syndrome.
The weight of our head is about 1/7 of the whole body. So, maintaining a still position while the head is leaning forward exerts 3.6 times more force than otherwise required to maintain a straight standing posture.
The bending of the head puts pressure on the joints and muscles of the cervical cerebra, which can induce tension headaches, cervical headaches, and neck pain.
With time, there is an alteration in the muscle activation, such as overactivity of levator scapula pectorals muscles and upper trapezius. On the other hand, there is under activity of middle and lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and deep cervical flexors.
This imbalance between the different groups of muscles leads to the characteristic appearance of Upper Crossed Syndrome. Moreover, it can lead to movement and joint problems mainly at the C4-C5 segment, atlanto-occipital joint, cervicothoracic joint, T4-T5 segment, and glenohumeral joint(2).
As of yet, no specific tests are available to diagnose the syndrome. Your physician may diagnose you based on the specific findings recognized in physical examination. For instance, the presence of forwarding head position, rounded or protracted shoulders, inward bend of your spine at the neck area, and outward curving of the spine at the shoulders and upper back are all suggestive of the Upper Crossed Syndrome.
The treatment plan usually consists of a combination therapy of chiropractic care and physical exercises to correct upper cross syndrome. Chiropractic care and physical therapy optimize the correction process of affected muscles and joints. A licensed chiropractic practitioner will help to reduce the misaligned joints and relax the fragile muscles.
Exercises for upper cross syndrome target your upper body to increase its motion range. Usually, these exercises involve stretching the fatigued overactive muscles while reinforcing the neighboring underactive muscles.
The final physical plan should combine a synergistic muscle motion that helps maintain a correct upper posture. Your physical therapist can offer you the needed education about your posture, understanding your current motion range, and how to improve it.
Furthermore, there are also some braces to straighten posture if you choose to go for that option. Braces to straighten posture can help relieve neck and back pain and correct your posture.
In addition, you can learn exercises to perform at home. Here are some exercises that can help:
Home exercises can reduce symptoms of upper cross syndrome by introducing an equal range of motion balancing the work on all the muscles.