Round Shoulders

Round shoulders describes a posture in which the shoulders appear to sit forward. It is a common descriptive phrase, not the name of one disease or one specific muscle problem.

Meaning of round shoulders

From the side, the shoulders may appear forward of the torso. From the front, they may look as though they turn inward. A photograph can show this appearance, but it cannot establish why the shoulders sit that way.

Related posture terms

Forward head posture describes the position of the head. A rounded back describes a visibly curved upper back. These features can appear together, but the terms refer to different parts of the body.

More than one structure is involved

The shoulder blades, collarbones, upper arm bones, and rib cage all contribute to shoulder position and movement. Several muscles are involved as well. Reducing the appearance to one tight or weak muscle oversimplifies how the shoulder works.

Use in esthetics

An esthetic program may use round shoulders in the name of care for the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This is an industry description, not a medical diagnosis or a promise of postural correction.

Persistent pain, arm numbness, or weakness calls for medical assessment rather than an esthetic posture label.

Related terms

• Forward head posture: A head position that appears forward of the torso.
• Rounded back: A common phrase for a visibly curved upper back.
• Scapula: The shoulder blade, which moves with the arm.