Is Your Posture to Blame for your Pain?
Dealing with frequent neck or shoulder pain? We can help you regain proper head posture.
Our 21st century lifestyle is A LOT different than even 20 or 30 years ago. We have electronics and technology for almost everything. We sit more than ever (at work, school, commuting) and don’t move in general as much as we used to.
So what does our routine have to do with how we feel and function? How we MOVE and our POSTURE that affects our health!
Changes in our daily habits and repetitive motions, movements and posture will have a direct impact on our body, mind and health.
Pain and Dysfunction are two major ways that your body is telling you that you have a problem.
Symptoms associated with Poor Posture:
- Headaches or Migraines
- Neck pain or mid back pain
- Soreness and tightness in the upper back/traps
- Low back pain
- Decreased range of motion within your body, with or without pain
- Muscle and/or joint stiffness, achiness, pain
- Low energy and fatigue
- Problems concentrating, staying alert, lack of mental clarity, having “brain fog”
- Vertigo or Dizziness
These are all symptoms that can be caused or exacerbated by poor posture and specifically, a condition called Forward Head Carriage/Posture. Forward Head Posture is also associated with a true medical condition called Text Neck, where the actual structure of the cervical spine changes and bends forward. Both of these are NOT good!
All About Forward Head Carriage
When your head is positioned correctly from a profile view, your ear is in line over your shoulder. If your ear and head are off center and fall in front of the shoulder, then this is a sign you have forward head/carriage posture.
When are neck and head are pushed forward, this causes excessive pressure on our entire spine and changes how we move and function. The head weighs approximately 12 lbs. For every 1 inch of forward head posture, this adds an extra 10lbs of pressure on the spine. Since our head can’t hold this extra weight, it is exerted on the muscles in your neck and upper back!
Unfortunately, today’s lifestyle contributes to this condition far too often. Workers hunched over their computers all day, children watching television and playing video games, cradling the phone between your ear and your shoulder and driving in the car for long periods of time can all cause forward head posture. Left untreated, this condition can cause nervous system dysfunction, pain, lack of mobility, spinal structural changes, nerve impingement, disc compression and poor health!!
What You Can Do
Consider the following when it comes to correcting forward head posture:
- Receive regular chiropractic check-ups and adjustments. Chiropractic care has shown to be effective in reversing forward head posture, reducing pain and preventing further deterioration of the spine.
- Get up and MOVE every 15-20 minutes if you sit at a desk during the day. Practice gentle ranges of motion and/or stretching to maintain blood flow and circulation.
- Limit the amount of time you spend watching television, playing video games, on a tablet or computer.
- Be aware of your posture; making sure you are sitting up straight with your head in an upright position. Pull your shoulder blades together and contract your core/midsection. Firing these muscles helps you stay upright and in proper posture.
- Sleep on a cervical pillow to maintain the proper curve in your cervical spine. Also, avoid sleeping on your stomach.
If you’re concerned about forward head posture and you have neck or back pain, headaches, or any of the symptoms listed above, give our office a call. Schedule your chiropractic check-up or visit us for a complete health and spinal evaluation.
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