Hyperkyphosis

Hyperkyphosis the medical term for what you might know as hunch back. It is one of the most common postural deviations that can lead to chronic pain and reduced range of motion. Its cause is primarily soft tissue dysfunction and postural changes that come from daily activities such as a lot of time driving, looking down and your phone to text and sitting at a desk all day on the computer. Injuries and as well as certain conditions can also contribute. 

The goal of massage therapy for this condition is to lengthen the muscles know to be shortened or hypertonic and are pulling the bones out of alignment. Your homework will be to strengthen the muscles that have become stretched and weak.

The massage therapy session for this condition will start with the person face up in order to access the the pectoralis major, minor and anterior deltoids. These muscles and fascia need to be release so as not to keep pulling the shoulders forward as the muscles on the back and neck are worked on.

There is also a little muscle known as Subclavius. This little muscle is located between your collarbone (clavicle) and the first rib near the sternum (breastbone). When it gets tight, it can literally pull the collarbone down toward the first rib - squishing the two bones together and possibly entrapping nerves in between. That will be accessed and treated for trigger points and tightness. 

Once the areas on the front of the body are addressed you will turn over and work on the muscles on the back, that tend to become tight, hypertonic and have trigger points, which include the upper  and middle trapezius, splenus capitus, spenius cervicis, Rhomboid minor & Major, Latissimus Dorsi.

Self-care is equally important after your massage. Reducing or eliminating habitual offending activities and other factors is crucial for long-term relief of pain related to hyperkyphosis. A few stretches you can do on a daily basis like the Doorway pectoral stretch. There are muscle associated with this condition that are weak and overstretched that also need to be strengthened.