Head Forward Posture
Head forward posture can be defined as anterior position of the cervical spine and head. Since this is a postural problem, activities with compromised posture are the most common cause such as working long hours on a computer with the head and shoulders forward or sleeping with too many pillows. Regardless of the cause, correcting head forward posture is important for many reasons.
Several noted medical publications and two Nobel Prize recipients have discussed the health consequences of head forward posture. The effects of this condition may involve more than one would suspect such as:
- Muscle strain
- Headaches
- Disc herniation
- Spinal Arthritis
- Pinched nerves
- Decreased respiratory capacity
- Impaired thinking
- Lower immune function
- Heart and vascular compromises
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Inappropriate pain responses
When the head comes forward, the muscles in the mid back and posterior neck are stretched tighter than they normally would be. Circulation is reduced to muscles when they are tight leading to a buildup of lactic acid and other metabolic waste products. This can cause irritation to the nerves in the area resulting in painful and tense muscles in the neck, shoulders and mid back as well as chronic tension headaches.
Athletic performance can be compromised by not only reduced range of motion from altered biomechanics but also up to a 30% loss in vital capacity in the lungs. In the world of sports, these changes are unacceptable to a competitive athlete.
Chiropractic adjustments to the neck, mid back and ribs can go a long ways towards correcting head forward posture. Certain types of cervical traction can help make the changes more permanent as can spinal extension strengthening exercises and other postural exercises and stretches for the neck and shoulders.
If you are suffering with head forward posture, call Frisco Spinal Rehab today to see if a chiropractic exam answer your questions and get you on the road to better posture and health.
