“For every inch of Forward Head Posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” -Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol. 3
This means that holding your head only one inch forward of where it should be, adds ten pounds to the weight of your head. Think about the strain your arms, or legs feel after holding only a few pounds for any extended period of time. The muscles of our neck and upper body must compensate for this extra weight. They compensate by tightening, and eventually hardening. After enough time has passed with your tissue in the wrong position, the proprioceptive cells in your muscles, (the cells that allow us to feel where we are in space), begin to perceive these incorrect positions as the new normal. After this has occurred, it can take several sessions, and considerable work by the client, to correct.
This may not sound like a big deal, everyone has some tight muscles, right? You may be surprised by what the experts have to say about the problems this postural abnormality can cause.
"Forward head posture (FHP) may result in the loss of 30% of vital lung capacity." -Erik Dalton Ph.D., LMT
"The entire gastrointestinal system (particularly the large intestine) may become agitated from FHP resulting in sluggish bowel peristaltic function and evacuation." -Erik Dalton Ph.D., LMT
"Proprioceptive signals from the first 4 cervical vertebrae are a major source of stimuli for regulating the body's pain-controlling chemicals (endorphins). FHP dramatically reduces endorphin production by limiting the cervical spine's range of motion. Inadequate endorphin production up-regulates the central nervous system causing non painful sensations to be experienced as pain." -Erik Dalton Ph.D., LMT
The following are some of the common effects of FHP (Forward Head Posture):
• Suboccipital pain syndromes
• Mouth breathing (sleep apnea)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Teeth clenching
• Face & neck pain
• Migraine headaches
• Uncoordinated gait and loss of body balance
"The body follows the head. Therefore, the entire body is best aligned by first restoring proper functional alignment to the head". -Rene Cailliet M.D.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, take a look at your posture, go see a Licensed Massage Therapist, and try to make a change for the better.
