If a person maintains poor posture, their shoulders can become uneven, as some sets of muscles become tight, and others become weak. One example is rounded shoulder posture (RSP). RSP can cause the chest muscles to become tight and the shoulder muscles to become longer. Find tips on how to improve posture here.
This could be due to over-activation of back muscles on one side as a result of low back pain, or actual discrepancy due to hip/pelvic bone structure since birth. Another example is pain and stiffness in the neck or tightness in chest muscles can create a pull on the shoulder putting it in upward or forward position.
Based on the normal asymmetry that the human body has, it is actually quite common to have uneven shoulders. More specifically, it is most common to have the right shoulder lower than the left.
Your ears should line up with your shoulders, that means no leaning forward. Your shoulders should be pulled back and sit in the middle of their sockets. Some people have a habit of protracting (or rounding) their shoulders. Your feet should rest flat on the floor.
As experts in the musculoskeletal system, a chiropractor is uniquely suited to help patients deal with uneven shoulders. They can diagnose and recommend treatments that are conservative and non-invasive. A chiropractor's office is a good place to start if you want to fix your uneven shoulders.
Uneven shoulders could indicate many different things. From scoliosis to a leg length discrepency. Although, in most situations it is indicative of simply a muscle imbalance in the upper extremities.
Shoulder asymmetry
However, in most situations, it simply indicates a muscular imbalance of the upper extremities. This can occur from daily activities such as always sleeping on the same side, carrying a heavy bag or purse on the same shoulder, or talking on the phone with your head tilted toward your shoulder.
Depending on the clinical diagnosis, physiotherapy which may include postural education, manual therapy and corrective exercises can be beneficial to correcting these common issues in mild-moderate cases. In more severe cases, surgery and medication may be considered.
What is shoulder muscle imbalance? The shoulder and neck have many muscles which are responsible for movement and stability. Muscle imbalance is usually due to muscle shortening or dysfunction where one shoulder drops and gives an uneven appearance, where the opposite side is overactive.
“If the curvature involves the upper portion of the spine (the thoracic spine), it can often lead to shoulder asymmetry (uneven shoulders). “[The] upper location of the scoliosis can result in one shoulder being pitched higher, with the other shoulder being forced downward, by the curve.
A Chiropractor can use a multitude of techniques that may help fix uneven shoulders. It is important to understand why you have uneven shoulders as this will dictate your care.
A chiropractor can help you correct poor posture such as forward head translation or slouching and realign your spine to assure that the body is functioning optimally.
Also, sleeping on the side can cause the top shoulder to roll forward and scrunch through the neck. You can fix this almost immediately with a snuggle pillow.
The pillow for your head should support your head, the natural curve of your neck, and your shoulders. Sleeping on your stomach can create stress on the back because the spine can be put out of position. Placing a flat pillow under the stomach and pelvis area can help to keep the spine in better alignment.
An X-ray of your back will be carried out in hospital to check whether your spine is curved and how severe the curve is. If you're diagnosed with scoliosis, you should see a specialist to discuss treatment options.
Even if your posture has been a problem for years, it's possible to make improvements. Rounded shoulders and a hunched stance may seem like they're set in stone by the time we reach a certain age, and you may feel you've missed the boat for better posture. But there's a good chance you can still stand up taller.
The good news is that, in most cases, rounded shoulders can be easily fixed or prevented. Just as the muscles and joints have been trained to hunch forward, they can be retrained to find the correct resting position.
By practicing good sitting posture, regularly stretching, and doing core-strengthening exercises, you should see results in anything from a few months to half a year. Posture correction is an ongoing process and everyone responds to it at their own pace.