Forward Head Posture

The need for chiropractic care has increased with advances in mobile technology and computer use. The number of patients that we see for neck and shoulder pain and headaches has now surpassed the number of patients that have sports injuries. The forward head posture that primarily contributes to neck and shoulder pain is now known to be more serious than previously thought. Such posture reverses the normal curvature of the cervical spine and accelerates degeneration.

Nobel prize winner, Dr. Alf Breig, says that “loss of the cervical curve stretches the spinal cord 5-7cm and causes disease.” Nobel Prize winner for brain research, Dr. Roger Sperry, found that “90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by movement of the spine.” According to a study in Physiology of the Joints by Kapandji, “For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head by an additional 10 pounds.” According to a study in Cephalgia in 2009 and Dr. Rene Cailliet at University of Southern California, forward head posture decreases respiratory muscle strength and can cause reduced vital capacity of the lungs by 30%. This shortness of breath can lead to heart and vascular disease.

All of this points to the fact that being in an unhealthy position for a prolonged period of time can cause a wide range of health problems. So sit up straight, keep your chin back, and take frequent breaks from sitting or staring at your Blackberry. It might save your life.