College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

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With a right thoracolumbar C-curve present, how will the patient's shoulder appear?

Left shoulder will be higher
Right shoulder will be lower
Both shoulders will appear even
Right shoulder will be higher

The correct answer is: Right shoulder will be higher

In the context of a right thoracolumbar C-curve, it is important to understand how spinal curvature can influence shoulder alignment. A thoracolumbar C-curve typically indicates a lateral deviation of the spine towards the right side. This curvature results in a corresponding change in the position of the shoulders. When a patient has a right thoracolumbar C-curve, the spine's shift can cause the right shoulder to appear elevated. This occurs because the right side of the thoracic region is effectively pushed backwards or raised relative to the left side, leading to an asymmetrical shoulder height. As a result, the right shoulder is higher compared to the left shoulder. This phenomenon is essential to recognize in the assessment of postural alignment, as it indicates that there are compensatory changes occurring in the body related to the spinal curvature. Proper identification of these changes provides valuable insights for treatment planning and intervention strategies in massage therapy and other forms of rehabilitation.