Have You Heard of Upper Crossed Syndrome?

[angelayannaycaroline]

I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of this: upper crossed syndrome.
It has to do with a postural imbalance which presents with head held forward and hunched shoulders. It can apparently lead to pain and paresthesias, both of which I have experienced. It seems as though this diagnosis would explain the current pain I have which is in my armpit area, scapula, side of rib cage and down my inner arm, as well as other things I definitely have such as tension headaches and a tendency to hold my head forward (this was confirmed by a chiropractic exam I had) and constantly tighten and raise my shoulders. Just wondering if anyone has a similar experience or any info on upper crossed syndrome.
Thanks,
Amanda

 

[darric1]

I never heard of this. But by the way it sounds, it is purely a posture issue and not a disease. It sounds like that would cause some pinched nerves in the neck and the shoulders, which would create all of those symptoms you also mentioned. Poor posture can create many neurological symptoms because you are straining or injuring your muscles and nervous system. I know this because I have back problems, and when I was seeing my physical therapist, she said I had poor posture and it would create many problems like the ones you stated in your post.

 

[WhelanPlatinum]

I completely agree with 17Wildcat17! I am a physical therapist...and in 25 years of practive have never heard of this "syndrome"...ask your doc or a PT about it...sounds like just an issue of posture...some exercises would really help...a new pillow perhaps for the bed and someone analyzing your work station at home and work....Lynn

 

[toni.fi1]

Upper cross syndrome refers to different muscles shortening (becoming hypertonic), and others lengthening (becoming neurologically inhibited). There is also a lower crossed syndrome that has to do with low back pain. This is usually due to postural issues, because you overuse certain muscles, and others as a result become inhibited. For example, when you flex your bicep, two things happen. One, your brain sends a signal to flex the bicep, and it happens. At the same time, the brain sends a signal to "turn off" the tricep, so they don't fight each other. This is the agonist-antagonist relationship. When you have postures that always emphasize certain muscles and de-emphasize others, other stuff starts to happen. I think it is an absolute longest of longshots that this would in any way relate to BFS, but this does cause people musculoskeletal problems (pain, degenerative joint disease due to biomechanical abnormalities, etc). Upper and lower cross syndrome are named as such because they identify muscle groups that are commonly involved.



Chris