Question
My sister has had problems with her spine after lifting weights at the gym a few years ago.  She walks with a slightly strange gait now.  My question however is regarding a lump along the back of her neck which apparently she has always had but it is now swollen.  She is feeling unwell and has achy flu-like symptoms.  She is often under a lot of stress with her 2 children.  We were wondering if this could be a "widow's hump" as this condition is present in our family.  The dr she has just seen says that he has never heard of this.  She is having an MRI scan today.  Any information would be appreciated.  Kind regards.

Answer
Hi Emily,

Your sister needs to consult a chiropractic doctor to address these musculoligamentous concerns.  The gait may be from the adaptation to an injury or accumulation of microtrauma during weight lifting.  Either way it is becoming more permanent by the day.

There is a natural prominence as the spine transitions from a forward curve in the neck to a backward curve in the upper back.  The vertebrae themselves are a different shape accentuating that prominence.  

Injury, overuse, infection and such can cause a temporary swelling in the area.

Chronic stress and tension (things were extremely difficult for widows before Medicare, insurance, etc.) can cause edema and, over time, fibrotic scar tissue repair can make this hump more pronounced for good!  

This is the true widow's hump.

At times the anterior portion of vertebrae can partially collapse.  This is usually lower down the spine and causes a sharp angulation and hunching forward.  This is a different problem associated with osteoporosis.

Hope this helps.

God bless, Dr Pendergraft