Do I have Upper Cross Syndrome? 

Upper Cross Syndrome (UCS) is caused by poor posture over an extended period of time. It results in rounded shoulders, head in front of the body, and an apparent curve in the neck and upper back. 

What is UCS?

The muscles of the human body are interconnected. When one muscle becomes weak, another muscle takes over the work. In the condition known as UCS, mid-back muscles (serratus anterior, rhomboids and lower trapezius) become very weak and lengthen. As a result, the pectoral and upper trapezius/levator scapula muscles tighten and shorten. Simply put, UCS is a muscle imbalance that causes pain in the upper back, neck and shoulders, as well as reduced range of motion and joint dysfunction in the thoracic and cervical spine.

What causes the muscles to weaken? 

Individuals with a sedentary lifestyle are most at risk for developing UCS. Long hours of sitting at a computer, watching television, or playing on a smartphone can contribute to bad posture. While poor posture is a leading cause of UCS, it is not uncommon to find UCS in athletes, especially swimmers and weightlifters, due to overuse of the muscles in the front of the upper body. This imbalance causes the neck and head to crane forward, spine to pull forward and curve inward near the neck and outward in the upper back, and shoulders to become more rounded and hunched over time. 

What do I do if I have UCS? 

The first step to combat UCS involves spinal adjustments with a chiropractor to improve the joint dysfunction in the thoracic and cervical spine. The second step requires exercises to correct the muscle imbalance by strengthening the weakened muscles and stretching the tight muscles.