INDUSTRY INSIGHT
CHIROPRACTICS
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“ Text Neck”
“ Text neck” is a term that describes the forward head posture that a person assumes when looking down at a phone or computer. Forward head posture alters the biomechanics of the spine and places increased strain on our muscles and joints. When we use poor postures day after day, the spine remodels itself to account for these increased demands— and that leads to muscle imbalances and long-term changes in the bones and joints. These changes are termed“ Upper Cross Syndrome” by physical medicine practitioners.
A closer look at Upper Cross Syndrome
Muscles work together in groups across joints. A good example would be the biceps and triceps. These muscles work together to make the elbow joint work properly. Muscle imbalances occur when the muscle on one side of the joint becomes tight and overactive while the muscle on the other side of the joint becomes weak and underactive. This can occur due to poor postures, repetitive motions, or disuse. When muscle imbalances occur, the joint becomes less mobile and cannot work properly. This perpetuates the imbalance and causes the joints to break down, ultimately leading to arthritic degeneration.
In Upper Cross Syndrome the traps and pecs become shortened and tight while the deep neck flexors and scapular stabilizers become underactive and weak. This pulls the shoulders and head forward
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while putting excessive strain on the cervical vertebrae. As the head comes forward, the muscles at the base of the skull must work extra hard to keep the head and eyes facing upward. In addition, the traps have to work overtime to suspend the head and stabilize the shoulders.
As an example of how much extra neck strain this condition causes, biomechanical analysis has shown that for every 10 degrees the head and neck tilt forward, the muscles and joints in the neck must bear an extra 10 lbs. of weight. This means that at a 45-degree angle, there is approximately a 50-lb. strain on the vertebra and muscles in the neck.
Common symptoms of Upper Cross Syndrome Neck pain & stiffness Shoulder impingement syndrome Mid-back pain
Jaw pain
Headaches Tingling / numbness in arms / hands
Dizziness
Brain fog
From a physical medicine perspective, we want to restore proper motion to the joints through manipulation and correct the muscle imbalances through myofascial release and targeted exercise protocols. Unless all of these aspects are addressed, optimal improvement will not occur. It is also important to correct the posture to stop further irritation of the already-inflamed tissues. This can be accomplished by improving workplace ergonomics and practicing“ posture awareness.” Together, these treatments bring the system back into balance, which ends the cycle of joint degeneration and painful muscular symptoms.
This Industry Insight was submitted by Dr. Justin Shemenski, Chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic of McCandless.
Dr. Shemenski attained his doctorate at D’ Youville College in Buffalo, NY. His clinical experiences included rotations at the Erie County Medical Center hospital system, a large multi-disciplinary sports medicine practice and a neurosurgery clinic that is run by the University at Buffalo medical school.
After graduation, he returned to the Pittsburgh area and worked as the clinic director of two multi-disciplinary practices that treated a large range of musculoskeletal conditions with traditional allopathic medical treatments, physical medicine modalities, physical rehabilitation, and chiropractic care.
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