clavicle and shoulder issues

[treevernal]

When I was 2 or 3 I broke one of my clavicles and I think that has screwed up a lot about my posture and shoulders.  Though I do not remember which clavicle it was, my left clavicle is higher than the right and hence that side of my neck pulls my head slightly to that side when relaxed.  From a lateral perspective, I do not have forward head posture on the left (probably due to how much tighter the muscles and tendons are on that side of my neck).  However, on the right side my forward head posture is obvious and the right shoulder tends to roll forward giving me a slumped look. 

I've tried to force my right shoulder back to have better posture but then I feel aches and pains in my right deltoid and throughout the shoulder joint. 

I'm not really sure what do about this problem or who to approach.  I'm already set to have bimax surgery with Arnett in January and that will def help my breathing and head posture (allowing me to sleep in a less posture compensating position) but I highly doubt that will correct my shoulder/clavicle issue. 

I've thought of seeing a chiropractor and doing yoga for these 6 months before and for several months after jaw surgery but I guess I just want to know what is the right method to fix these problems before I spend a ton of money down the wrong path.  Jaw surgery is already costing me a small fortune afterall.

Thanks guys!
Dan

[trigeminalneuralgia]

I could write a book on this but im on my phone.  Breaking your collar bone is a HUGE deal. 

My right shoulder rolls forward too bc im right handed.  Left side of my neck has an elevated rib and is one big old knot.

I'd find a top notch pt or nontraditional chiro who does soft tissue release and posture analysis.  Don't let a chiro convince u some cracks will fix u up.  Way more complicated

[trigeminalneuralgia]

Orthopedic surgeon and rheumatologists I don't think would help.  Yoga is a good idea if u are gentle along with strengthening and soft tissue release.  The pt would be able to advise..they are called manual physical therapists.



is a good stretch in addition to strengthening lower traps and serratus

[treevernal]

Thanks for all the replies guys, that stretch looks really good too.  I'm thinking everything is at its worst right when I wake up as I tend to sleep in a very posture compensating position (on stomach, right shoulder rolled forward, head tilted up and to the left, mouth wide open) that maybe if I did some sort of stretching routine right upon waking, it would set better posture for the rest of the day.  But I just know that until I get my jaw fixed and airway opened up, my body will continue to sacrifice my posture for lack of airway space.  My airway is only 3mm in diameter :/

I emailed Arnetts office asking this question and their advice about who to see.  I figure they've dealt with plenty of patients similar to me so we'll see what they advise. 

[Marisama]

I emailed Arnetts office asking this question and their advice about who to see.  I figure they've dealt with plenty of patients similar to me so we'll see what they advise. 

Let us know what they say when they reply in a couple months.

[treevernal]

Let us know what they say when they reply in a couple months.

Haha!  Let's hope it's not that long.  Actually the woman who I've dealt with is usually pretty good about getting back on time but we'll see.

[treevernal]

Well they got back to me this morning saying, " The jaw surgery will not address any of those issues or effect them. You can see a Chiropractor if you would like before or after surgery."  So, it looks like this is outside their realm which is understandable.  I'm leaning towards waiting until after jaw surgery to see a pt or chiro as I just cant afford to make the financial commitment necessary to fix this right now.  I think I'll just work on good stretching and posture until then.  Thanks guys. 

[trigeminalneuralgia]

Well they got back to me this morning saying, " The jaw surgery will not address any of those issues or effect them. You can see a Chiropractor if you would like before or after surgery."  So, it looks like this is outside their realm which is understandable.  I'm leaning towards waiting until after jaw surgery to see a pt or chiro as I just cant afford to make the financial commitment necessary to fix this right now.  I think I'll just work on good stretching and posture until then.  Thanks guys. 

be really careful with chiros.  i think most of them are scammy, good luck

i also feel sometimes the WORST in the am too, very tight!  i have started lying on a foam roller with my arms on the float to do a pec minor stretch for 2 minutes.  i do think stretching in the mornings a great idea

[neferkitti]

I'm thinking everything is at its worst right when I wake up as I tend to sleep in a very posture compensating position (on stomach, right shoulder rolled forward, head tilted up and to the left, mouth wide open)

Lol! Your sleep behavior was not unlike mine. I recently discovered that sleeping on my good side helps with my jaw pain and swelling. Just a shot in the dark, but I'm wondering if sleeping on the left side would help you.

My airway is only 3mm in diameter :/

What is considered normal/sufficient?

[treevernal]

Yeah, I might try sleeping on the other side and maybe do some stretches before bed and again upon waking.  As far as airway goes, I think normal is like 12mm diameter but I'm just guessing.  Arnett told me I'd def have sleep apnea when I'm older/overweight.  I'm pretty sure my dad has it to a certain degree but luckily he's not overweight. 

[trigeminalneuralgia]

i tend to sleep on my TIGHTER side (so left) because it squishes my shoulder and side of my neck up..if that makes sense. 

def sleeping with shoulder rolled forward means you have tight pec!!

[treevernal]

Ah!  Good eye.  Yes, I could use to do some pec stretches in addition to trap stretches with my head.  I think I'll work on a routine for good posture before and after bed until surgery.  Definitely cheaper than seeing more doctors!  I'm also seeing an orofacial myologist and that has been tremendous help!  She has me doing the following:

- altering my chewing and swallowing of foods and liquids
- keeping a tiny rubber band in my mouth on the tip of my tongure to remind myself to keep my tongue up in the palate and my mouth closed
- platysmal stretch followed by taping my mouth shut in a criss-cross pattern to keep it closed at night (keeps me from getting dry-mouth and encourages nasal breathing)
 
and there are more.  They're definitely helping and I think a lot about the way I do everyday functions now.  For instance, the rubber band in my mouth has made me realize how often I mouth-breathe and let my mouth hang open.  The food eating has been difficult as I have to take small bites and swallow correctly after much chewing...I'm so used to just stuffing my face stupid that this has improved my digestion.  Also, before I eat I take the rubber band out of my mouth and put it around my finger to remind me to eat correctly.  They've all been helpful exercises and I never knew the extent of my issues until meeting with this COM. 

[Krista]

Well they got back to me this morning saying, " The jaw surgery will not address any of those issues or effect them. You can see a Chiropractor if you would like before or after surgery."  So, it looks like this is outside their realm which is understandable.  I'm leaning towards waiting until after jaw surgery to see a pt or chiro as I just cant afford to make the financial commitment necessary to fix this right now.  I think I'll just work on good stretching and posture until then.  Thanks guys. 

I am so confused by their response.   Didn't Arnett write an article on the effect of malocclusions on the cervical spine?   I think it is somewhere on these forums.   I can understand surgery not having an effect on previous broken bones but to say it wouldn't have any effect on cervical issues and/ or forward head posture doesn't sound right and is discouraging.

[trigeminalneuralgia]

i normally wear a soft collar neck brace when i sit for awhile, to keep headaches away, im going to experiment with tying something around my head to hold my jaw.

[treevernal]

I am so confused by their response.   Didn't Arnett write an article on the effect of malocclusions on the cervical spine?   I think it is somewhere on these forums.   I can understand surgery not having an effect on previous broken bones but to say it wouldn't have any effect on cervical issues and/ or forward head posture doesn't sound right and is discouraging.

I agree.  Even some of the patient results I've seen show improved head posture post surgery.  Who knows why she said that.  It still doesn't stop me from fixing it on my own.