Dowager’s Hump

May 15

Dowager’s hump which many people refer to as the hunchback is a bump that can be seen on the base of the neck. It is usually accommodated with a forward head posture. The more forward the head sits, the more stress is placed on the base of the neck which can change the spinal curvatures. This overtime causes the back muscles to weaken causing other muscles to be put under constant strain due to overuse.

The leading cause of Dowager’s hump is poor posture but other possible causes include osteoporosis, spinal injuries, congenital issues and ageing. In fact 20-40% of older adults are estimated to have a Dowager’s hump. If left untreated people may experience neck and shoulder pain, headaches, reduced mobility such as looking upwards, digestive issues and difficulty breathing.

Forward head carriage — Tips to prevent/treat Dowager’s hump

Proper posture is important for longevity of the spine. It affects how you feel, mobility, prevents injuries and improves breathing. Maintaining proper posture means there is less strain on your muscles, spine, discs and ligaments.
Proper posture can be maintained by:
● Ensuring your neck is tucked and translated backwards, shoulders are rolled back,back is straight with the core engaged.
● Having a proper ergonomic setup at work and whilst driving.
● Taking regular breaks every 30 minutes- 1 hours.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is known to improve posture and reduce any pain associated with Dowager’s hump. Chiropractors do this by locating any dysfunctional areas within the spine and correcting them. This will help to increase movement within the spine and take the pressure off the soft tissues. The chiropractor will also provide a tailored care plan which involves stretches to loosen the tight muscle and strengthen the weak muscles caused due to the dowager's hump. The sooner you start the treatment for the hunch the more effective it will be for halting it’s progression.

Three generalized stretches to help with this hunch are:

● Pectoralis stretch:

The aim of this stretch is to target the tight chest muscles. For this you have to stand

in a doorway, resting your arms at 90 degrees on the door frame and leaning

forward. To increase the difficulty of this stretch you can place your arms slightly

higher on the doorframe.

● Chin tuck and translate:

This stretch is to help with the forward head posture that comes with the

Dowager’s hump. For this you have to tuck your chin in and translate your head

backwards ensuring your ears line up with the shoulders.

● Prone scapula retractions:

This exercise should be done after the stretches mentioned above and is used to

strengthen the back muscles. For this you will have to lie on your stomach with your

hands by your side facing downwards. Then bring your shoulder blades

together/downwards and lift your hands one inch off the ground. Hold this position for

30 seconds and rest. Repeat 3-4 times.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care may help to allow your nerves to better communicate to your body and muscular system, speak to our friendly team for all the details.

What To Expect At Your First Chiropractic Visit

An initial Chiropractic exam for back pain will typically have three parts: a consultation, case history, and physical examination. Laboratory analysis and X-ray examination may be performed.

Consultation. The patient meets with the chiropractor and provides a brief synopsis of his or her lower back pain, such as:
- Duration and frequency of symptoms
- Description of the symptoms (e.g. burning, throbbing)
- Areas of pain
- What makes the pain feel better (e.g. sitting, stretching)
- What makes the pain feel worse (e.g. standing, lifting).
Case history. The chiropractor identifies the area(s) of complaint and the nature of the back pain by asking questions and learning more about different areas of the patient's history, including:
- Family history
- Dietary habits
- Past history of other treatments (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical and other)
- Occupational history
- Psychosocial history
- Other areas to probe, often based on responses to above questions
- Physical examination. A chiropractor may utilize a variety of methods to determine the spinal segments that require chiropractic treatments, including but not limited to static and motion palpation techniques determining spinal segments that are hypo mobile (restricted in their movement) or fixated. Depending on the results of the above examination, a chiropractor may use additional diagnostic tests, such as:
  1. X-ray to locate subluxations (the altered position of the vertebra)
  2. A device that detects the temperature of the skin in the paraspinal region to identify spinal areas with a significant temperature variance that requires manipulation.
    Chiropractors are trained in a variety of methods to assess the underlying cause of the problem, including:
    1. Evaluation and management services. Chiropractors are trained in examining the joints, bones, muscles and tendons of the spine, head, extremities and other areas of the body with the purpose of noting any misalignment, tenderness, asymmetry, defects or other problems.
      Neurologic and other common physical examination procedures. Chiropractors are trained to perform a variety of neurologic tests (nerve root compression/tension, motor strength, coordination, deep tendon and pathological reflexes, etc.) and are skilled in performing orthopedic, cardiovascular and many other common examinations.
      Specialised assessment. Chiropractors are trained to assess range of motion, stability, muscle strength, muscle tone and other assessments with the lower back.
      Common diagnostic studies. Chiropractors are trained in use of diagnostic studies and tools such as radiography (X-rays), laboratory diagnostics and neurodiagnostics.