It's a classic line from Mel Brooks Young Frankenstein but a neck and back question we get asked a lot at Arizona Spinal Care

Female patients often ask about the spot in their neck and spine at the base of the neck around the level of the top of the shoulders because this spot sticks out more.

Their have 2 main concerns. The first is if this is the Osteoperosis hump. Fortunately that is not seen until advanced age and can be detected very early through bone density testing. This only really shows up in very severe cases anyway and not typically in active chiropractic patients.

The second concern is if it is fat. Many females show a slowing of the thyroid in their thirties and beyond and this area is a common place for the body to place a slight increase in fat under the skin. Again really not that commen because the body generally and unfortunately spreads weight gain from lower metabolism to other unwanted ares if you know what I mean.

So what is the hump? it is the last vertebrae in the neck. C7. It's nickname is the Vertebral Prominens which means the most prominent vertebrae. It is a normal anatomical landmark in every human and is the last movable vertebrae in the neck before the thoracic spine or mid back begins. If you put your middle finger on it and then your other 2 fingers above and below and then flex and extend your neck, you'll feel it move. The one below that doesn't is the 1st thoracic.

Why do so many patients just notice it later in life? It's because of the fact that body and health awareness and concerns increase compared to when we were in our youth. In addition, the fact is that you are in a chiropractic office for care already so you start noticing and learning about all these types of normal variants and conditions.

So if you have any health related questions and you missed the latest episodes of Oprah and Dr. Oz, we at Arizona Spinal Care are trained and knowledgeable on nearly every ache, pain and medical condition and we will get you the answers and care you need.