Rounded Shoulders. Upper Back Spasms. Stiff Neck. Headaches.
All sounding familiar?
These are all characteristics of a common postural issue dubbed Upper Cross Syndrome. It is a specific pattern of muscle weakness and tightness that can cause pain and discomfort in the body. Upper Cross Syndrome normally manifests from poor posture over a long period of time, and is most associated with activities such as sitting for extended periods, or working in a position where the head tilts forward to look down. This all causes an appearance of hunched shoulders and a rounded back, coupled with back pain.
Understanding this common postural pattern, allows us as body workers to more effectively treat and correct the issue.
We normally find:
Tight Upper Traps, Levator Scap, Pec Major and Pec Minor
Weak Deep Neck Flexors, Rhomboids and Lower Traps
Addressing the above imbalances involves taking a multi-faceted approach, focused on releasing and stretching the tight, over-working muscles, and activating and strengthening the weak, under-working muscles, to restore muscular balance and improve posture.
At Medissage, our Medi Massage is the perfect tool, using a combination of techniques like Deep Tissue massage, trigger point therapy and myofascial release, to address muscular imbalances like Upper Cross Syndrome. Our treatments coupled with movement and strength training, as well as day to day posture corrections, can help to realign the body and reduce the back pain and discomfort associated with the dysfunctional postural pattern.
Our treatments will take in to account your specific day to day activities and repetitive movements, as well as postural habits (i.e sleeping positions etc) in order to provide a tailored treatment programme that will assist your body in finding balance and functional movement.
For more information on how we can assist you at our Medissage practice in Pretoria, get in touch via email (info@medissage.co.za) or give us a call/send a whatsapp to 074 224 5661. We are always happy to help, and look forward to assisting you in taking the first step towards as healthier and more balanced body.