Do You Have Upper Cross Syndrome?
Now that most people are working from home and not moving as much, people are starting to get more neck pain. Being in one position for longer than 20 minutes will cause the muscles and joints to become tight.
What is Upper Cross Syndrome?
Upper cross is an imbalance of the muscles of the neck, shoulders and chest. The muscles in the front of the neck (deep neck flexors) and between the shoulder blades (mid/lower trapezius and rhomboids) become stretched and weak. The opposite will happen to the chest muscles (pectoralis major/minor) and the shoulder muscles (upper trapezius and levator scapula). They will become overactive and tight.
Signs and Symptoms
- Poor posture with rounded shoulders, curving of the base of the neckand the head pushed forward
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Tightness in neck, shoulders and chest
- Fatigue
Treatment
- Chiropractic care
- Stretching of the upper trapezius and pectoralis muscles
- Proper posture/moving more frequently
- Strengthening deep neck flexors and mid/lower trapezius