Hello all, I am just wondering if anyone has had symptoms of leaning forward from the neck. I feel like this could be the start of developing a hunch back and would love to prevent it, if that is possible. I have been told by my personal trainer and my physiotherapist that i need to relax and drop my shoulders. It is so difficult. I have noticed that even when I am trying to get to sleep, this symptom is still there.
Any help / tops greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance xxx
Hello Jacky3, my husband who has PD has sadly developed this type of posture. His back has become very rounded and head is always forward. He finds it nigh impossible to lift it up no matter how hard I try and remind him to look up!! I mentioned his appalling posture to our consultant on our last face to face visit (well over 2 years ago) and he said he simply can’t do it as it’s dystonia and no point trying to rectify it! I was quite annoyed by this remark to be honest, so I’m continuing to try and find out if anything can be done to at least keep it from getting much worse. To this end we have actually got a physio coming to see him in the morning so I’m hoping she can help. He also attends strength and balance classes where the tutor keeps reminding him to try and lift his chin up, so she must think it’s possible to do or surely she wouldn’t mention it? Anyway, we’ll wait and see what physio has to say. If I find out anything useful I will get back to you via the forum. In the meantime I hope someone else will come on with any advice. By the way, he was diagnosed 6 years ago at the age of 65. Best wishes, Jean
Hi Jean1,
I have serious doubts as to your consultants abilities.
He/she seems to have washed their hands of the situation as they obviously have no idea how to handle it.
Have you tried talking to a neurologist or/and a biokineticist ?
I’m sure they could be of some help.
I think it is a constant battle you stretches 3 or 4 times a day may help, the disease is trying to fold you and you have to stretch the opposite way.
Also I use a stand that is adjustable for IT gadgets at eye height when sitting to lift the head instead of looking down.
Hi
Also, have you considered another cause of the rounded back, Osteoporosis? This can give a curved back or a droopy head. One or more vertebrae can become wedge shaped, often without symptoms other than loss of height and the curve in the spine.
Many people with it are not diagnosed, with changes seen on x-ray dismissed as wear and tear due to ageing. If not treated it can cause progressive amounts of discomfort, deformity and disability.
The latest NICE guidelines should improve detection rates but will the local NHS manage to implement them….But that’s another question.
I hope you find some answers.
Thorny