What is forward head posture?

FHP is when persons ears are forward from their shoulders, which typically leads to the forward rounding of the shoulders and a tucking in of the chest. If you want to know what FHP really looks like take a look at your neighbor in their cubicle at work or at your child when they are on the computer. This posture is the leading cause for stress related neck and shoulder tension/pain in my office. These days children and adults are constantly plugged into their held held devices such as cellular phones, Nintendos, e-readers, and iphone applications. A survey done by Kaiserfound that young people from the ages of 8-18 spend 7.5 hours a day using some form of mobile media. In fact a survey done by Nokia's global messaging service suggested that texting is reportedly addictive. Furthermore, this survey was confirmed in 2004 by the Catholic University in Belgium. In fact a University in Australia said texting is as addictive as cigarette smoking! Because the typical demographic for texting is people with the ages of 13-27 (in this area older due to the governments support of the blackberry) I have seen an exponential increase of these FHP patients in my office.

Heres the facts:

• Long Term forward head posture leads to "long term muscle strain, disc herniations and pinched nerves" (Mayo Clinic March 2000)

• In a recent study respiratory dysfunction "demonstrated a strong association between an increased forward head posture and decreased respiratory muscle strength in neck patients" (Cephalgia February 2009)

• "For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine an additional 10 pounds" (Kapandji, Physiology of the Joints, Volume 3)

• "Loss of cervical curve stretches the spinal cord 5-7cm and causes disease" (Dr. Alf Breig, neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize winner)

• FHP has been shown to flatten normal neck curve, resulting in disc compression, damage and early arthritis. (Spine 1986)

If you are experiencing neck pain make an appointment with Dr. Shara so she can give you a free consultation for your FHP. Call us today 703-683-7771.