Upper Cross Syndrome(UCS) is stress over the neck region due to poor posture and
ergonomics, particularly sitting or standing. This syndrome can cause joint impairments,
mainly targeting the atlanto-occipital joint, shoulder joint, C4-C5, and T4-T5 region .
Poor posture can lead to stress on the cervico-thoracic or cervico-cranial junction.
Upper crossed syndrome is given its name because an "X," in other words, a cross, can be
drawn across the upper body. One arm of the cross indicates the muscles that are
typically tight, and the other arm of the cross shows the muscles that are usually weak.
Predominantly, the syndrome mainly occurs as a result of muscular imbalance that usually
develops between tonic and weak muscles. This imbalance causes postural changes including
forward head posture (FHP), hunching of the thoracic spine (rounded upper back),
increased cervical lordosis, elevated and protracted shoulders, and scapular winging. The
upper cross syndrome can lead to cervical and upper back pain and movement restrictions
due to muscle imbalances, consequently causing poor quality of life.
ELDOA is a French acronym. The myofascial ELDOA technique was first described by Guy
Voyer in 1979, which is also called LOADS (longitudinal osteoarticular de-coaptation
stretching.It is based on active traction exercises for spacing the joint, fascial and
spinal stretching by assuming a specific posture for 1 min. It targets spinal
strengthening and decompression. ELDOA has originated from various treatment approaches
and creates local and general effects. It allows decompression of zygopopheasal joints,
more absorption of fluids in the disc, increase circulation, improve tone and end range.
It also allows the correction of impaired posture, improving respiration and
proprioceptive facilitation of the concerned segment. Myofascial tension induced between
superior vertebra which is a wandering point and the inferior vertebrae which is a fixed
point. Verbal cues are given to the subject for the encouragement goals and for
maintaining proper position and not dropping a pose. Several conditions have been treated
with ELDOA, including prolapsed intervertebral discs, piriformis syndrome, chronic low
back pain, cervical radiculopathy, active trigger points, and forward head posture. Disc
encryption existing at any level of the spine can be addressed through specific ELDOA
poses.
The Rational of the present study is to determine the effects of ELDOA on decreasing
pain, kyphosis, improving range of motion and reducing disability.