2. Upper Cross Syndrome and Postural Distortions
Wall angel
Keep chin retracted T/L junction flattened against the wall arms pressed against the wall
Disc space narrowing of how much results in how much reduction of formainal area?
Disc space narrowing of 2 mm results in 30-40% reduced foraminal area
Horizontal foam roller mobilization
Don't let the chin poke roll back and forth for 30 sec
Stenosis
11 mm or less
What is the average canal diameter at C5? Normal spinal cord diameter at C5? Soft tissues occupy how much space?
14 mm (average canal diameter) 7 mm (spinal cord diameter) 3 mm (soft tissues)
Brugger's sternosymphseal syndrome (SSS)
Posterior pelvic tilt tight hamstrings weak gluts and abdominals
Lower Cross Syndrome - tight vs weak muscles
Tight: hip flexors (iliopsoas, rectus femoris, TFL/ITB), T/L, hamstrings, and erector spinae Weak: glut max, glut min, glut med and abdominals
What are the tight vs weak muscles in lower cross syndrome?
Tight: hip flexors (iliopsoas, rectus femoris, TFL/ITB), T/L, hamstrings, and erector spinae Weak: glut max, glut min, glut med and abdominals
Upper Cross Syndrome
Tight: pecs, upper trap, levator scapula, and suboccipital muscles Weak: deep neck flexors, lower trap, serratus anterior, and rhomboids
What are the weak vs tight muscles in upper cross syndrome?
Tight: pecs, upper trap, levator scapula, and suboccipital muscles Weak: deep neck flexors, lower trap, serratus anterior, and rhomboids
Effects of Upper Cross Syndrome
Overstrain at C0-C1, C/T, TMJ and GH impingement respiration may also be affected vertebral subluxation/joint dysfunction and myofascial trigger points may result from or cause these muscle imbalances
Vladimir Janda
Upper and lower crossed syndrome
What are the quadriceps muscles?
rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius
Muscle imbalances in LCS are commonly associated with what?
Anterior pelvic tilt (jutted butt)
What are the effects of lower cross syndrome?
Anterior pelvic tilt (jutted butt)
Vertical foam roller mobilization
Back of hands on the floor adding in chest press activates shoulder stabilizers
Layer syndrome
Combination of UCS and lCS alternating layers of tightness and weakness often happens after failed back surgery
Forward Down Syndrome (FDS)
Due to tight hip flexors and weak glut muscles inclined forward with center of mass over the forefoot due to prolonged sitting in slumped postures
Push up Test
Have the patient go against the wall and mimic a pushup check for scapular winging which indicates weak serratus anterior muscles
Neck flexion endurance test
Male= 39 sec female= 29 sec
Adam's sign
To test for scoliosis
What muscle weakness causes scapula winging?
Weakness of the serratus anterior
What are the hamstring muscles?
biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus
