（PHOTO: VCG）

By Staff Reporters

What is a dowager's hump? Does it have any impact on our health? How to get rid of it?

A dowager's hump is the development of a bend or "hump" at the junction of the upper back, neck, and chest, specifically at the seventh cervical vertebra and the first thoracic vertebra.

In a normal spine, the cervical curvature is forward, while the thoracic curvature is backward. If you bow your head for a long time, causing the cervical spine to bear weight for an extended period, it can lead to excessive forward protrusion. As the curvature of the cervical spine changes, the neck muscles attached to it become swollen and protruding, thus forming a dowager's hump.

In the early stages of a dowager's hump, there may be no obvious symptoms. However, over time, it can gradually lead to a loss of elasticity in the muscle tissues supporting the joints, reducing the support and traction of the cervical spine. Although a dowager's hump is not the same as cervical spondylosis, it may cause neck pain if not addressed for a long time. Therefore, to a certain extent, it can be regarded as a warning sign of cervical spondylosis.

To check if you have a dowager's hump, you can try a simple test. Stand with your feet apart, as wide as your shoulders, and press your back, hips, and legs firmly against a wall. If your head cannot touch the wall and there is a noticeable bulge at the back of your neck, it indicates the possibility of a dowager's hump.

Neck exercises are essential to cure this condition. First, you need to change unhealthy habits such as looking down at your phone for long periods. Second, relax your neck muscles and perform stretching exercises to enhance their strength and endurance. Finally, for those who sit for extended periods, you should do chest expansions, shoulder shrugs, and other exercises to relieve neck pressure.