Chiropractor for Neck Hump and Posture in Perth

What is a neck hump?

A neck hump is a rounded build-up where the neck meets the upper back. It's usually a mix of posture, stiff joints and a pad of soft tissue that builds over the top. People often notice:

• A hump at the base of the neck in photos or the mirror
• Their head sitting forward of their shoulders
• A rounded upper back and shoulders
• Stiffness and ache at the base of the neck and between the shoulder blades
• Headaches that start at the base of the skull
• Finding it harder to look up or turn their head
• Collars and necklaces sitting differently

Why it happens

Most neck humps build slowly, over years. For some people, it starts much earlier than they think. The vertebrae and discs at the top of the back can grow slightly wedge-shaped during the teenage years, so the upper back rounds forward no matter how hard you try to sit up.

Over time, a pad of soft tissue builds up over the top, right where the strain is. That's the lump you can see. Common contributors include:

• Years of looking down at desks, screens and phones
• A stiff upper back that rounds forward (thoracic kyphosis)
• Weak upper back and neck muscles
• Age-related changes in the joints and discs
• Loss of bone strength (osteoporosis), which can let the vertebrae wedge forward
• Less often, hormonal or other medical conditions

The real cost: you

Were you told to stand up straight as a kid? Over and over? Here's the thing. Many people genuinely couldn't. The shape of the vertebrae and discs at the top of their spine was already pulling them forward. When they tried to sit up tall, it was hard work, so they slumped straight back again.

Being told off for it, year after year, knocks your confidence. You start folding your arms. You shy away from photos, from family, from people. You feel self-conscious without quite knowing why.

And it doesn't stop at how it looks. A neck hump is closely linked with headaches, neck pain, tech neck and arthritis, and as your posture tips further forward, your shoulders and lower back start paying for it too.

A note from Geoff

People rarely tell me their neck hump is the reason they've come in. Usually it's neck pain, or headaches. But as we talk, it comes out. It's a personal thing to talk about, and it's often upsetting. Many people tell me they don't want to end up like their grandmother or grandfather.

I take it seriously. The first thing I do is work out what kind of hump it is. A hump from stiff joints, posture and soft tissue is very different from one caused by wedged vertebrae or bone weakness (osteoporosis), and the care is different too. So I check how your upper back moves, how strong your postural muscles are, and look at X-rays where clinically required. If there's any sign of bone weakness, I'll refer you to your GP first.

This is my favourite area to work in. My signature adjusting technique, part of the Vitality Method, was designed for posture-related problems and for exactly this part of the spine. Alongside it, I give you specific stretches and exercises to do diligently at home, because the effort you put in between visits matters as much as what I do.

Where it's mainly a stiff, rounded upper back (hyperkyphosis), a lot can be possible. I'll always tell you honestly what I think is realistic for you.

Try this right now

Stand with your back against a wall, heels about 5cm out, with your bottom and shoulder blades touching the wall. Now try to rest the back of your head on the wall without tipping your chin up. Can you do it easily? Is there a big gap?

If your head won't reach the wall comfortably, that's a clue about how far forward it sits. Don't force it. How big the gap is tells us a lot, and it's a useful number to check again later.

How we assess a neck hump

We start with your history: when you noticed the hump, your work and screen habits, your bone health, any falls or loss of height, and what it's stopping you doing.

Then we look at your posture from the side, how your neck and upper back move, and the strength of your postural muscles. Where clinically required, X-rays show the shape of the vertebrae and the curve of your upper back. You'll get a clear explanation and an honest opinion on what's realistic for you.

What your plan will include

Here's exactly what happens when you come to Vitality with a neck hump:

• A detailed consultation and clinical assessment
• Digital X-rays if clinically required, bulk billed with a valid Medicare card
• Specific adjustments to assess whether change is possible for you
• If change is possible, and it's what you want, a care plan built around you and your lifestyle
• Specific upper back and neck strengthening exercises
• Desk, phone and pillow advice
• Referral to your GP for a bone density check if needed
• Daily tips to improve your posture and help manage stress and tension

My promise to you

How much a neck hump changes depends on what's causing it, how long it's been there, your bone health and the work you put in. Some humps are partly structural and won't fully change. I won't promise a set outcome.

What I do promise is a thorough investigation, an honest explanation of what's realistic for you, and a plan we review together. If you need something we don't offer, we'll refer you on.