Have you ever heard of buffalo hump syndrome?
This muscle imbalance condition is often caused by poor posture over a prolonged period. The result is rounded shoulders, head forward, accentuation of the upper dorsal curve with progressive alteration of the cervical spine.
Although upper cross syndrome is a condition that older adults commonly suffer from, it is also extremely common in office workers and even athletes. In fact, it is one of the most common postural problems in both young and old people.
What is the bison hump?
The muscles of the human body are interconnected. When one muscle becomes weak, another muscle takes over the work. In buffalo hump syndrome, the muscles of the middle and upper back (serrations and trapezius) become weak. As a result, the pectoral and neck muscles become stiff. This causes pain throughout the upper body, including shoulder and neck pain, as well as reduced range of motion.
Simply put, bison hump syndrome is a muscle imbalance caused by weakening and lengthening of the posterior muscles of the upper back and neck, combined with strengthening and shortening of the anterior pectoral (chest) muscles and of the neck opposite. This imbalance can lead to joint dysfunction.
What causes bison hump syndrome?
Individuals with a sedentary lifestyle are at greater risk of developing bison hump syndrome. Long hours spent sitting at a computer, watching television or using a smartphone can contribute to poor posture.
This prolonged poor posture can weaken the rhomboid and neck flexor muscles while contracting and shortening the pectoralis and upper trapezius muscles and the levator scapulae muscles.
As a result, this is what is known as a “crusader” pattern. This imbalance causes the spine to drag forward, significantly increasing the amount of stress on the supporting muscles.
As a result, although poor posture and excessive sitting are the main causes of this syndrome, it is not uncommon to find this condition in athletes, especially swimmers and weight lifters. This is due to overuse of the neck, shoulder and upper back muscles.
What are the symptoms?
Unlike some conditions, this syndrome often manifests itself very visibly. Many people will notice that their shoulders become more rounded and hunched over time, while their neck and head tilt forward. The spine will also begin to curve inward near the neck and outward in the upper back and shoulder area.
Additionally, the muscle imbalance associated with the syndrome puts stress on surrounding muscles, tendons, bones and joints, causing symptoms in most people that include:
Heachache
Neck pain or tension in the back of the neck
Chest pain and tightness
Pain in the upper back, especially in the shoulders
Difficulty sitting, reading, watching television, or driving for long periods of time
Limited range of motion of the neck or shoulders
Numbness, tingling and pain in the upper arms
Is it a serious disorder?
It is a chronic condition that can leave significant muscle imbalances in the body and lead to chronic back pain. If someone develops this muscle imbalance and is regularly active or is an athlete, this can reduce their mobility and reduce overall performance. If left untreated, the condition can cause damage to the spine due to continued pressure on the front of the vertebrae.
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath expert in Osteopathy applied to voice and speech disorders since 2002. For information and reservations visit the page Contacts
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