Neck and back pain is something we all deal with at some point in our lives. It’s not abnormal to have some instance of back pain, and many cases resolve with time. Let’s take a quick look at the four most common postural dysfunctions behind nearly all back pain.
FORWARD HEAD POSTURE
Forward head posture is one of the more common types of posture abnormalities. It is very common among people who have jobs where they are hunched over a computer all day or have suffered a shoulder/neck pain.
If you’re wondering what muscles cause neck pain, these are some of the main players. Forward head posture and shoulders rounded forward are common signs of this set of muscle imbalances.
For every inch your head moves forward out of alignment from your shoulders, your neck effectively carries an additional ten pounds of weight. Forward head and neck postural dysfunction is a frequent cause of neck and upper back pain, not to mention headaches, shoulder pain and more.
Facilitated muscles - locked short:
Anterior deltoid
Pectoralis muscles
Latissimus dorsi
SCM
Serratus anterior
Inhibited muscles - locked long:
Middle trapezius
Lower trapezius
Infraspinatus
Teres minor
FORWARD TIPPED PELVIS
By far the most common postural dysfunction we see, a forward tipped pelvis is extremely common among office workers, truck drivers and others who spend a large portion of each day sitting. This posture is characterized by overextension of the lumbar spine, lack of glute involvement, and quad and low-back dominance. A forward tipped pelvis is also the most common cause of lower back pain. Let’s take a look at muscles that can cause lower back pain.
Facilitated muscles - locked short:
Lumbar
Hip flexors
Quadriceps
TFLIT-Band
Inhibited muscles - locked long:
Abdominal
Gluteal
Hamstrings
If you are experiencing back pain or have one of these postures, there is good news! We can treat it help you set a path of prevention. If you have had any kind of injury, feel stiff, or have chronic pain anywhere in your body please reach out. Our chiropractic team is here to help you live a pain free life.
Book an appointment today or call us at (415) 343-7706
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