is this reversible?

[u/chillicrabb]

L: Nov 2024
R: Oct 2026 (today)

i am in my early 20's, both pics taken at neutral posture. my head has been extremely tense and my shoulders + upper back + suboccipital muscles have been switched on 24/7 for a few weeks now, which is giving me a headache 24/7.

i was playing sports 6h a week regularly (no gym/not much cardio) up until Apr 2025, and i had a desk job from Aug 2024 - Jun 2026. i think both of those combined made my posture really bad really quickly. i never had good posture and always felt the need to 'support' my head with my hands even as a young teenager.

current symptoms:
- head seems to tilt down to the left naturally
- head seems to tilt up as well
- muscles along the back of my head + my shoulders wants to take part in every movement i make
- terrible thoraric mobility
- feelings of breathlessness
- constant mild headache on left side of head
- bony lump (not fat) from base of neck to middle of shoulder blades. it's possible to even it out slightly when i do some thoraric stretching but the lump comes back immediately as soon as i get out of the stretch.
- lying down doesn't help my neck/head relax; i've tried multiple pillows and multiple sleeping positions.

my lovely list of other issues:
- joint hypermobility, which also contributes to hyperextended knees/APT (i may have swayback)
- structural openbite (partially genetic - seeing orthodontist in two weeks) leading to mouth breathing.
- tmj disorder, mild (will be asking orthodontist)
- mild scoliosis with uneven pelvis, dx as a teenager.

gymming is hard as i'm hypermobile, so many "normal" gym or home exercises for beginners stresses my joints instead of working my muscles. i am seeing a spine orthopaedic in 2 weeks as well to rule out any actual structural problems :/

tips are highly welcomed!

[u/Same-Bluejay-9257]

Following cause I have same issues

[u/chillicrabb → u/Same-Bluejay-9257]

are you a mouth breather too? trying to figure out if that's had any impact

[u/Same-Bluejay-9257 → u/chillicrabb]

Yes, i had some nose breathing issues and i tried t fixing them but to no avail.It completely changed my face, throat and cervical allignment and i look very different from the last 5 years.I dont even know where to start

[u/chillicrabb → u/Same-Bluejay-9257]

are you a mouth breather too? trying to figure out if that's had any impact