Do you have “texting neck?” Correcting Upper Crossed Syndrome.
The use of electronic devices, gaming, and working sedentary desk jobs is associated with a common postural deviation called upper crossed syndrome. It can be identified by rounded shoulders, and upper back, and a forward head position (also called kyphosis). Upper crossed syndrome is not only common in individuals who spend a lot of time at a desk, but it also can result from training a muscle group disproportionally to others, compensation due to an injury, or even emotional distress. Upper crossed syndrome involves tight, overactive, dominant muscles, as well as weak, underused, or inhibited muscles. This can be explained by a process called reciprocal inhibition, during which overactive muscles decrease the neurological activation of the opposing muscles. In upper crossed syndrome the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoid, pectoralis major and minor, latissimus dorsi, and subscapularis tend to be dominant and tight, whereas the deep cervical flexors, serratus anterior, rhomboids, posterior deltoid, middle and lower trapezius, and infraspinatus and teres minor tend to be weak and passive.
A Balance For Life Fitness Certified Personal Trainer can design an exercise program for those with postural deviations such as upper crossed syndrome with exercises that can address these muscle imbalances. Here are some examples of such exercises:
STRENGTH EXERCISES:
Floor Cobra: Lie on the floor, arms at sides or in front of the body, palms facing toward the ground. Retract shoulder blades and lift the chest off the floor and hold for two seconds or longer.
Dumbbell Reverse Fly: Sit with your knees bent and hold a dumbbell in each hand. Lean forward, letting your arms hang down next to your calves with your elbows slightly bent. Slowly raise the weights until your elbows are level with your shoulders. Then slowly lower the weights to the starting position.
Seated Narrow Row: Sit with tall posture, feet on foot plate or on floor. Grasp handle in a neutral hand position. Retract the scapula, then pull the handle toward the torso by extending the shoulders and flexing the arms in the sagittal plane. Return to start, maintaining neutral spine at all times.
Band External Rotation: Band should be anchored lower than the elbow. Position the arm slightly off the side of the body with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees. Pull handle away from the torso rotating externally through the vertical axis of the humerus to approximately 45 degrees of external rotation. Return to starting position with the hand near the torso. Keep the wrist neutral at all times. Do not allow the elbow to move away from the starting position.
FLEXIBILITY:
Doorway Pectoral and Anterior Deltoid Stretch: Stand in a doorway or at the end of a wall. Bend your right arm and place your forearm against the wall with your elbow at shoulder-height. Slowly turn your body away from your arm until you feel a stretch through your chest and shoulder. Hold the stretch then repeat the movement with your other arm.
Overhead Triceps and Latissimus Dorsi Stretch: Put one arm overhead. Grasp elbow or wrist overhead with other hand. Bring elbow toward head and back or pull arm down toward opposite shoulder. Lean torso to side, away from direction of arm behind head. Hold stretch. Repeat with opposite arm.
Upper Trapezius Stretch: Gently bend your head forward with your chin toward your neck as if you were nodding. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds. Gently bend your head to the side so your ear approaches the opposite shoulder. Switch sides. Hold. Gently bend your head diagonally forward so your chin approaches the opposite shoulder. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds.
