What is Cervical Postural Syndrome?

Cervical Postural Syndrome is described as poor posture of the neck, shoulder and upper back which causes pain and muscle tightness of the neck and upper back region.  -	These syndromes are characterized by a typical posture of protruding chin, rou

Understanding your injury – Brisbane Physiotherapy Edition.

Overview of Cervical Postural Syndrome:

Description

- Cervical Postural Syndrome is described as poor posture of the neck, shoulder and upper back which causes pain and muscle tightness of the neck and upper back region.

- These syndromes are characterized by a typical posture of protruding chin, rounded shoulder and a larger than normal forward curve of the upper back.  

Presentation

- May experience burning or aching pain across the shoulders and neck or of suboccipital (base of skull) pain

- Pain is aggravated by prolonged static posture and is typically relieved by movement

Cervical Postural Syndrome is described as poor posture of the neck, shoulder and upper back which causes pain and muscle tightness of the neck and upper back region.  -	These syndromes are characterized by a typical posture of protruding chin, rou

- Posture: Protruding chin, rounded shoulders

- On examination:

o   Restricted shoulder movement

o   Tight pectoral muscles

o   Stiff neck and upper back joints

o   Weak muscles: deep neck flexors, serratus anterior and trapezius and/or rhomboid

o   May have some neural tension.

- It may be seen in athletes whose sport requires them to adopt prolonged postures. Including cyclists, baseball catchers and hockey players.

- It may also occur in the workplace among people working at the computer screen, painters and production line workers.

Cervical Postural Syndrome Management

Treatment

  • Therapeutic exercise

  • Manual therapy: muscle release

  • Ergonomic advice and postural retraining

  • Joint mobilization – to improve mobility of stiffer spinal segments

  • Postural taping

Nick Stamatiou

Nick has a strong interest in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy and is motivated to help people reach their desired goals and to achieve their full potential.

His experience includes:

  • Sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist in a private practice setting

  • Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation inpatient physiotherapist at Brisbane Private Hospital

  • Clinical Reformer and Mat-work Pilates instructor

  • Football gameday physiotherapist

While Nick is skilled in managing all areas of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, he has a particular interest in the rehabilitation of muscle strains, hip, knee and lower back conditions. Nick offers dry needling, massage and joint mobilisation to compliment exercise prescription.

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