Why Posture is Important
Upper Cross Syndrome is a chronic upper neck and back muscle imbalance caused by a weak and lengthened posterior and tight chest and neck muscles that can lead to joint dysfunction. Upper Cross Syndrome is caused by consistently bad posture and the easiest way to recognize this is an apparent curve at the base of the neck.
The most common persons affected by this syndrome are office workers, young athletes, and the elderly. The fix is relatively easy and should be a focus in athletes to increase injury prevention of the spine.
Body Compensation
When one muscle becomes weak, another connected muscle takes over.
The middle/upper back muscles are becoming weak and cause the chest and neck muscles to tighten.
This causes pain in the shoulders and neck
Upper cross syndrome is the biggest cause of loss of range of motion in the upper body.
Symptoms
Headaches
Neck pain or strain in the back of the neck
Chest pain and tightness
Pain in the upper back, especially the shoulders
Difficulty sitting, reading, watching television, or driving for long periods
Restricted range of motion in the neck or shoulders
Numbness, tingling, and pain in the upper arms
The prolonged hunched posture is very tough on the spine as the muscle and joint imbalances cause the spine to pull forward and increase stress on supporting muscles that help keep the body upright.
Untreated pain and pressure can cause permanent spinal damage. Making it very important to be conscious of body positioning and actively working on posture to allow better performance and reduce injury.
Treatment
Proper posture throughout the day
Strength training with proper form
Yoga for the upper body
Corrective stretching
Standing desks
Closing
Posture is very important to overall health and performance, as proper alignment of the spine allows greater flexibility and range of motion at each of the joints. Having Upper Cross Syndrome is detrimental to one’s health and adds unwanted stress to the most vital piece of our musculoskeletal system, the spine. Be conscious of the symptoms and know how to treat them by being in tune with your body and posture and work to be well-rounded with your strength and flexibility throughout the entire body.