Margaret, […] low, back straight, knees relaxed, and hips aligned with the shoulders. To learn more about our home care services, I see there is need for a second blog on this topic. This condition, which doctors call kyphosis, is more commonly known as dowager’s hump. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Women who have gone through menopause are at the highest risk of osteoporosis as their bodies can no longer absorb calcium as well as it did when they were younger. As you bring your head down, and then bring your head back up, the bone that you were feeling should disappear underneath your fingers. https://www.youtube.com/user/melioguide/playlists. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. This medical condition is called kyphoscoliosis. Compression fractures are breaks in the spinal column 2. Over time, a habit of poor posture can cause you to develop an abnormal curve of the upper vertebrae and a mass of tissue at the lower part of the neck. It can even make it very painful to turn the head from side to side. This problem usually shows up around middle age. Fractures are particularly common in the femur and spine. This can cause Dowager Hump symptoms like: There are studies that put healthy college-age students in this forward posture for 15 minutes. I can encourage that process a little bit more by rolling up a little blanket and placing it in underneath my sit bones. I have a natural little arch at the small of my back, my mid-back is fairly flat, and I have a small arch in the back of my neck. Sit straight where the head does not exert pressure on the back and the neck. A brace is exactly that — it’s a brace. You mentioned that if my spine is rigid, skillful hands might provide fascial releases within my body. Symptoms of Dowager’s hump. It is popularly known as kyphosis. Hi Vanessa, I highly recommend that you consult with a licensed, qualified health care professional. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Margaret graduated from the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1984. Lie down on your back with your feet flat on the ground and knees bent. I hope these tips help you have a better night’s sleep and wake up pain-free. Difficulty bending backwards (doing upward dog pose or sphinx pose) is another symptom. Kyphosis is specifically the extreme curvature of the spinal column in the chest. Here are the guidelines to determine your level of kyphosis or Dowager’s Hump: If you score between very mild to moderate, this would be an opportune time to start focusing on changing your alignment for the better.