Dowager’s Hump: What It Is, Why It Runs in Families, and How Chiropractic Can Help
Understanding Dowager’s Hump
At Champagne Chiropractic in Denver, Dr. Champagne often meets patients who share the same concern: a small bump forming at the base of the neck. Known as Dowager’s Hump, this postural adaptation occurs when the upper spine rounds forward and the head begins to shift in front of the shoulders.
While it may look structural, it often starts as a functional issue caused by Tech Neck, the forward head posture many people develop from looking down at phones or working on computers. Over time, that repetitive tension can train the spine to hold itself in a rounded position.
Why It Often Runs in Families
Posture is both a habit and an inherited pattern. Many people unconsciously mirror the way their parents or grandparents sit and stand. If your family members tend to carry tension in the mid-back or have a noticeable forward head posture, you’re more likely to develop similar tendencies.
Dr. Champagne often sees entire families with matching posture patterns, proof that it’s not just about genetics but learned movement habits and daily routines. The encouraging news is that these patterns can be changed with the right combination of chiropractic care, posture awareness, and active retraining.
What Happens Inside the Spine
The base of the neck, known as the cervicothoracic junction, is where posture and mobility intersect. When this area becomes restricted, the surrounding muscles tighten, limiting motion and increasing strain.
As the head shifts forward, the weight on the upper spine dramatically increases, adding roughly 10 pounds of force for every inch the head moves ahead of the shoulders. Over time, that chronic stress can cause the body to adapt by thickening soft tissue and exaggerating the upper-back curve.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Better Posture
Dr. Champagne focuses on restoring motion to the restricted areas of the spine and helping the body relearn how to hold itself upright. This comprehensive approach includes specific chiropractic adjustments, and movement recommendations designed to retrain posture awareness.
Throughout care, Champagne Chiropractic uses advanced posture screening software to track your progress. This technology measures forward head shift and calculates how much weight your head is carrying forward, giving you visual and measurable results over time. Comparing these scans throughout your care helps you see exactly how your posture is improving, both in photos and in the way you feel.
Preventing Dowager’s Hump Before It Starts
Even if a Dowager’s Hump hasn’t developed yet, prevention makes a major difference. Early intervention can stop the pattern from becoming structural. Incorporating mobility exercises, taking posture breaks, and maintaining regular chiropractic care can all help keep your spine flexible and aligned.
If you work at a desk or notice your head drifting forward while on your phone, it’s time to get checked. Small posture changes today can prevent bigger spinal adaptations later.
The Takeaway
Dowager’s Hump is common, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. By improving joint motion, retraining posture, and tracking your progress with posture screening software, your spine can return to a more balanced and natural position.
Visit Champagne Chiropractic, located inside Summit Strong in Denver’s Golden Triangle, to schedule your posture assessment and start improving your spinal health today!
