Buffalo Hump
What is Buffalo Hump?
A Buffalo Hump is a common shoulder and neck issue. If you often look down at your phone, have poor posture, and feel soreness in your shoulders and neck, with high pressure in the back of your neck, you are likely to have a Buffalo Hump. In this article, we will explore the causes of a Buffalo Hump, its effects on the body, how to self-assess whether you have a Buffalo Hump, and how to eliminate it.
Causes of Buffalo Hump
Buffalo Hump refers to the protrusion at the junction of the cervical and thoracic vertebrae, causing a bulge at the back of the neck, which is a soft tissue protrusion. The main cause is prolonged bending of the head while using a phone, using a computer, or improper posture while working, leading to the formation of Buffalo Hump. Effects of Buffalo Hump on the body: Buffalo Hump not only affects our appearance but also increases the pressure on the shoulder and neck muscles. When the shoulders and neck do not receive proper stretching and relief, the muscles cannot relax and remain in a tense state for a long time. This can lead to various shoulder and neck problems, such as initial shoulder and neck pain, and later numbness.
Anyone can experience sciatica in their daily life. This condition is common in those with poor posture, repetitive strain from work such as frequently lifting heavy objects, degeneration in the elderly, smokers, women who often wear high heels, prolonged sitting, or obesity, which places excessive burden on the spine.
Patients with diabetes have nerve damage due to prolonged high blood sugar levels, thus having a higher chance of developing this condition. Another less common cause is patients who have undergone hip replacement surgery; there is a 0.5-2% chance of sciatic nerve injury and a 0.2-2.8% chance of complications from sciatic nerve paralysis during hip surgery.
Self-Assessment Method
The first and simplest self-check method is to relax your body and reach back to feel if there is a protrusion at the back of your neck. The second method involves standing to check for a dowager’s hump. You just need to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart against a wall, making sure your back and arms are also pressed against the wall. If you find that your head cannot touch the wall and there is a noticeable bulge at the back of your neck, that is a symptom of a dowager’s hump. If it is severe, everyone should seek chiropractic treatment as soon as possible. Even if there is no obvious bulge in the neck, not being able to touch the wall with your head is also abnormal, so it should be addressed and treated promptly.
Treatment Methods
Method 1: Towel Stretching Method
A towel may seem useless, but it can have a relaxing effect on the cervical spine. First, wrap the towel around the back of your neck to support it. Then, tilt your head back slightly. Apply a little force to pull the towel, which will help stretch the neck appropriately through the towel, providing immediate relief.
Method 2: Standing Method
Maintain your breath, relax your head, and stand against a wall with your chin tucked in. Your head should be directed towards the ceiling, and your eyes should look down. If you feel a slight pull in your neck while stretching, you are doing it correctly.
Method 3: Stretching the Chest Muscles
Stretching the thoracic spine to open the chest cavity is important for improving a dowager’s hump. You can stand in a lunge position, extending both arms against the wall in front of you, remembering to open your chest muscles. This will help stretch the muscles of the upper body and extend the spine.
Dr. Lai’s Recommendations:
In addition to appearance issues, if a fatty lump causes symptoms in the shoulders and neck such as shoulder and neck pain, headaches, or neck pain radiating to numbness and tingling in the hands, please seek professional advice as soon as possible for a comprehensive assessment. It is important to address and eliminate the fatty lump early to avoid further exacerbating shoulder and neck pressure. If you self-diagnose a fatty lump, you can try the three practical methods we provide in this article to help improve the issue. If the problem persists, it is recommended to seek diagnosis and treatment from a professional chiropractor.