Forward Head Posture a.k.a. Text Neck: Part 2

For a better understanding of forward head posture, click here. 

Now that you have a better understanding, besides the added pressure and pain to the back and neck, there are a few other problems that can occur from this abnormal posture.  For the sake of education, I want you to jet your chin forward to put yourself into a position of forward head posture.  Now, try to look up at the ceiling and see how far you can go.  Then bring your head back to a perfect posture where your ears are over your shoulder and then look up.  Hopefully, you notice a difference.  

Now, continue with with forward head posture and then with perfect posture doing the following: turn your head to look to both sides; lifting your arms above your head; take a deep breath in.  Finally, bring your arms out to your sides, level with the floor, and bend you elbow to 90°.  With the forward head posture, try to rotate your forearms down as far as they can go and then back up behind you as far as they can go.  Again, repeat this with perfect posture and with forward head posture.  

The purpose of this is to demonstrate a forward head posture significantly limits your range of motion.  It takes you from an position for optimal movement mechanics and begins to alter the way you move and function.  This, over time can start causing wear and tear on the body and lead to a list of problems.  Besides neck and back pain, I see muscle imbalances that lead to rotator cuff damage, arthritis, headaches, some respiratory issues due to limiting breathing, and so much more due to forward head posture!  

Unfortunately, with our modern technology, such as hand held devices, most of us are accelerating this process.  Chiropractors, like myself, are trying to prevent this from happening in the first place by treating and educating those we see in our clinics and by working with those that are now dealing with some pain as a result of the damage that is done.  Don’t wait until it is too bad, come in and let’s address this before it becomes more of a problem!