Upper and Lower Crossed Syndromes. Permission Joseph E. Muscolino. Artwork: Giovanni Rimasti.

Thoracic Hyperkyphosis – The Critical Component of Upper Crossed Syndrome

For most of our clients who present with the postural distortion pattern known as upper crossed syndrome, it is important, perhaps absolutely necessary, to include thoracic spinal joint mobilization technique into extension as part of the treatment plan to address the thoracic hyperkyphosis.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome. Permission Joseph E. Muscolino. Kinesiology - The Skeletal System and Muscle Function, 3ed (Elsevier, 2017).

Six Causes of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome – Part 1

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition in which the distal tendon of the supraspinatus and the subacromial bursa become impinged between the head of the humerus and the acromion process of the scapula. Following are the six major causes of shoulder impingement syndrome.

Signs, Symptoms, and Assessment of Upper Crossed Syndrome

The first and most obvious sign of upper crossed syndrome (named by Vladimir Janda) is the characteristic postural dysfunction of protracted scapulae, medially (internally) rotated humeri, hyperkyphotic (overly flexed) upper thoracic spine, and a protracted (anteriorly held) head.

Suggested postures for smart phone use.

The Price of Smart Phones – Ten Conditions Caused by Smart Phone Use

Following are ten of the most common dysfunctional postural patterns and injuries that may occur with smart phone (cell/mobile phone) use.

tight neck extensor musculature can cause tension headaches

Tension Headaches

A tension headache is caused by excessive pulling force of tight muscles in the back of the neck that exert tension on their attachments on the head.

extension mobilization stretch for the thoracic spine on an exercise ball

The Thoracic Spine… The Silent Saboteur

There is an old saying that no posture is bad unless you get stuck in it. The problem is that the thoracic spine often does get stuck in bad posture.

Locked short muscles / locked long muscles in upper crossed syndrome and lower crossed syndrome

Locked Short Muscles – Locked Long Muscles

Two opposing muscle groups, the “facilitated” muscles that are locked short and the “inhibited” muscles that are locked long.