Forward head tilt could be the cause of headaches, shoulder and neck pain. For each extra inch of forward head tilt the cervical spine is experiencing increase load of up to 10 pounds. This results in a paraspinal musculature overload of the cervical spine.
Over a prolonged period of time this overload turns into micro sprain and strain injuries of the neck. Loss of sleep, headaches, fatigues and general muscle pain are the results of the forward head tilt. The causes of the forward head posture could be the following factors: Wrong set up at the computer desk, too many pillows under your head while reading, prolonged and stressful commutes in a car. If problem is not corrected on time, patient could be diagnosed with arthritis, disc herniation, pinched nerves, and muscle strain and ligament sprain. Tension on a spinal cord will affect your general well being.
The “Spine” Journal stated in one of the articles that prolonged forward head posture will cause the loss of cervical lordosis – which is the normal curvature of the cervical spine. Straining the neck ligament, joints, bones and muscles is speeding up their deterioration process. As a result arthritis is inevitable and health problems like fibromyalgia, TMJ and shoulder problems will accompany it.
Another study from “American Journal of Pain Management” provides evidence that there is a direct relationship between a good posture and physiological function of the organism. Back pain, neck related headaches, and shoulder pain are few of the many symptoms that mentioned in this study. The greatest affect of a bad posture is the lung breathing capacity, blood pressure, moods and pulse frequency alteration.
Forward head posture can lead to impaired breathing. The chest becomes sunken and starts constricting the lungs. Think of it as the body slowly undergoing strangulation because of insufficient oxygen. Deterioration of body functions is simply the beginning, as other complications like anxiety attacks can also take place. Incorrect breathing upsets normal body functioning and chemistry. Blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels start fluctuating under the stressful condition. Many of the organ systems are likewise affected, manifesting in panic, stress and anxiety episodes.
You can very easy to check your posture in a comfort of your home. All you need is digital photo camera on your phone or camera by itself. Set your camera up on timer for 10 seconds. Close your eyes and march in one place. Move your head to the left and to the right while marching. Stop at about 8th second and continue to keep your eyes closed. Have the camera make a photo shot. Look at your picture and pay attention to the level of you ears, shoulders and hips. You can do the same thing with your side posture.
Proper exercises can help strengthen paraspinal musculature of the cervical spine and lumbar spine. A good back support will also help to keep you cervical lordosis healthy. Good backpack will help equally distribute weight and will allow distributing the weight equally. A great pillow will help to provide proper support and a good night sleep.
A regular chiropractic care will help to maintain the posture at its best. The spine is a biomechanical structure. Therefore, just like everything mechanical it eventually will require maintenance. A combination of good deep tissue massage and chiropractic adjustment will do wonders to your posture. Posture is the window to your spine, is your spine aligned?
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