Forward Head Posture
Forward head posture or position is one of today’s most common posture issues. For every inch that a patient’s head extends forward from its natural position, the muscles of the neck and upper back are forced to support ten additional pounds of weight. It most often occurs as the result of injury to the neck, such as a strain or sprain of the upper thoracic, or cervical, spine, and it is one of the most common causes of neck and shoulder pain and tension and headaches. Other causes for forward head posture include:
- Carrying heavy backpacks
- Overuse of mobile devices
- Sleeping in the wrong position
- Reading at night with too many pillows
When the head shifts forward from the body’s natural center of gravity, the upper shoulders and thoracic spine move backward to compensate, causing the hips to tilt forward. This creates a domino effect that makes your spine considerably out of alignment.
Complications of Forward Head Posture
In addition to being aesthetically unappealing, forward head posture can cause major damage to your health. Long-term stress on the cervical spine can cause muscle strain, osteoarthritis of the spine and disc herniation.
When the head is held in a forward position, the entire body is pulled out of alignment. Forward head posture can reduce your lung capacity by up to 30%, and the gastrointestinal system can be affected as well. Range of motion can be affected as the result of the cervical spine being in a forward position, which leads to decreased endorphin production. With decreased endorphins, pain and discomfort are increased.
Chiropractic Treatment of Forward Head Posture
If you’re suffering from forward head posture, it is in your best interest to consult with a chiropractor as soon as possible. At WellCore Health and Chiropractic, Hillsboro chiropractor Dr. Anthony Marasco will examine your spine to check for misalignment that could be causing the problem. From there, he will develop a treatment plan that will help correct the problem.
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Marasco will help you identify things that could be causing the problem, such as ergonomics at home or work. By making you conscious of the problem areas in your life that could be contributing to your forward head posture, we can help you correct these issues so you can life a healthy, pain-free life.
To schedule a consultation for forward head posture treatment in Hillsboro, please contact us now by calling 503-648-6997.