Got a Painful Neck Hump? We Can Help

Have you noticed a strained or painful hump forming at the back of your neck? This is called a dowager’s hump or kyphosis, and it’s quite common. Around 20-40% of adults over 60 develop a dowager’s hump, which forms over time because of poor posture or, sometimes, osteoporosis. 

If your dowager’s hump causes neck pain, experienced pain management specialists Haddis T. Hagos, MD, and Brent Earls, MD, are here to assist. At Pain Management Associates LLC in Greenbelt, Maryland, Dr. Hagos and Dr. Earls use today’s latest therapies for neck pain management. 

What causes a painful neck hump? 

A painful neck hump usually develops gradually over time, though in rare cases, it can develop early because of a congenital (before-birth) condition. The main cause is typically bad posture. With years of bad posture and consistently being hunched over, your spine can eventually change shape forming a hump at the neck. 

Other factors might contribute to the issue, such as:

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes your bones to get weaker. This puts you at risk for compression spinal fractures, which can shorten your spine and make it harder for you to hold your head up.  

Degenerative changes

Degenerative changes in the spine, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, cause damage to your spine’s structure. 

Treatment options for a painful neck hump

Pain Management Associates LLC can treat the pain in your neck and provide therapies to improve your posture. A personalized treatment plan can address the underlying causes of your painful neck hump to reduce pain and structural irregularities. 

Dr. Hagos and Dr. Earls might recommend:

Posture therapy 

Posture therapy is a type of physical therapy that trains you to maintain proper spinal curvature. The technique focuses on aligning your body’s weight-bearing joints including your shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles, which contribute to poor posture. 

Pain management therapies

As pain management specialists, Dr. Hagos and Dr. Earls provide top-tier treatments for pain originating in the spine including the neck. To alleviate pain associated with a dowager’s hump, they might recommend:

• Cervical epidural spinal injections
• Facet joint injections
• Trigger point injections
• Selective nerve root block (SNRB)
• Radiofrequency ablation

Most of these therapies target compressed nerves where neck pain originates. 

Habit changes

In addition to the professional care you get for a painful neck hump, Dr. Hagos and Dr. Earls might suggest making a few changes in your day-to-day life. Take breaks from  your computer, follow a healthy diet, and hold your mobile phone at eye level to reduce neck strain. 

Get in touch 

Are you ready to reduce the issues that come with a painful neck hump? Call Pain Management Associates LLC or request an appointment online today.