Which syndrome is characterized by forward head posture and rounded shoulders, often with a tight chest and weak upper back?

• A. Upper crossed syndrome
• B. Lower crossed syndrome
• C. Postural distortion patterns
• D. Repetitive movement

Answer: (A)

Muscle imbalances that pull the chest forward and leave the upper back weak create a pattern where the head protrudes and the shoulders round forward. This is the classic presentation of upper crossed syndrome. In this pattern, the chest muscles (pectoralis major and minor) and the upper back/neck muscles (upper trapezius and levator scapulae) are overactive and tight, while the middle and lower back muscles (rhomboids and lower trapezius) and deep neck flexors are weak. The result is a forward head posture with rounded shoulders, a posture commonly seen in people who sit a lot or spend time at a computer. Lower crossed syndrome involves the hips and lower back, not this upper-body pattern. Postural distortion patterns is a broader term that can describe various alignment changes, and repetitive movement relates to how you move rather than a static muscle imbalance.