When you look in a mirror, are your shoulders straight and even, or do they seem to look a little off kilter? If you have uneven shoulders, you’re not alone. Sometimes this discrepancy between the two shoulders is caused by a spine issue, while other times lifestyle factors are to blame. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at what’s causing your uneven shoulders and whether or not you should connect with a spine specialist for treatment.
Causes Of Uneven Shoulders
Here’s a look at some of the more common causes of uneven shoulders. Some of these issues can be treated with the help of a spine specialist, while others can be managed on your own with a few lifestyle adjustments.
- Scoliosis – Scoliosis is a condition categorized by an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine. If this curvature develops in the upper portion of the spine, it can cause your shoulders to appear uneven. Scoliosis can certainly cause uneven shoulders, but not all spinal curvature disorders lead to uneven shoulders, so don’t use your shoulders as the only measuring stick of a potential curvature disorder. Scoliosis is oftentimes treated with bracing and physical therapy, although more severe cases may need to be corrected with a surgical procedure.
- Kyphosis – Kyphosis is another condition categorized by an abnormal curvature of the spine, but it is slightly different from scoliosis. Kyphosis involves a forward rounding of the back, whereas scoliosis involves a sideways curvature disorder. Kyphosis tends to lead to a hunchbacked or slouched posture, and it can also lead to an uneven shoulder appearance. It is treated similar to scoliosis, in that posture improvements, weight loss, bracing and physical therapy will be pursued before surgery is considered.
- Shoulder Weakness – Do you always wear your purse or computer bag on the same shoulder? If so, this could be leading to muscle weakness as one side is regularly stressed and becoming stronger. Muscles on the other shoulder could be underdeveloped, causing your head or your shoulders to lean a little bit to one side. Physical therapy and being cognizant of wearing bags and backpacks on either shoulder can help to correct this muscle weakness.
- Posture Problems – If you have poor posture, especially if it involves being hunched forward, you can put a lot of extra strain on your cervical spine and the muscle groups that support your head. If you’re constantly leaning forward to work at a computer or read a book, these soft tissues in your neck and shoulders can become overburdened with stress and weaken. Depending on how stress is dispersed, this can lead to discomfort and unevenness in your shoulders. Correcting these posture problems and doing some gentle exercises to strengthen this area can help strengthen these muscles and even out your shoulders.
So while uneven shoulders may suggest that a spine specialist should be consulted, sometimes you can manage the condition on your own. If you need help determining why your shoulders are uneven, or you want assistance with a different back issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
