The most common postural problem today is forward head posture. We
live in a world with repetitious use of computers, television, video games
and even backpack carrying, which in return has forced the body to adapt
with forward head posture. Forward head posture has been linked to many
neck and upper back conditions. This posture also closes down lymphatic
drainage in the neck and will cause more strain on the posterior neck
muscles.
The weight of a typical head is almost 10 pounds. The head should be
centered over the shoulders. For every inch the head is forward, the
compressive forces on the lower neck increase by the additional weight of
the entire head. This means one inch forward head translation equals 20
pounds head weight, two inches equals’ 30 pounds head weight, and so
on. Just try this yourself by holding a weight close to your body and then
holding it out in front of you. The weight feels heavier depending on how far
away it is from your body.
Forward head posture can rob you of:
Monitoring your posture is the most important step to prevention and
should be a life long habit.
Here are some tips on how to use T-Tapp techniques to correct this
common posture problem:
live in a world with repetitious use of computers, television, video games
and even backpack carrying, which in return has forced the body to adapt
with forward head posture. Forward head posture has been linked to many
neck and upper back conditions. This posture also closes down lymphatic
drainage in the neck and will cause more strain on the posterior neck
muscles.
The weight of a typical head is almost 10 pounds. The head should be
centered over the shoulders. For every inch the head is forward, the
compressive forces on the lower neck increase by the additional weight of
the entire head. This means one inch forward head translation equals 20
pounds head weight, two inches equals’ 30 pounds head weight, and so
on. Just try this yourself by holding a weight close to your body and then
holding it out in front of you. The weight feels heavier depending on how far
away it is from your body.
Forward head posture can rob you of:
- normal range of motion,
- of muscle strength,
- of natural neck protection,
- of long joint life,
- of vital lung capacity,
- of the emotional and healthy vitality we should expect into our later
years
Monitoring your posture is the most important step to prevention and
should be a life long habit.
Here are some tips on how to use T-Tapp techniques to correct this
common posture problem:
- Ears need to be aligned over your shoulders and hips, while
keeping the chin from jutting forward; this neutral position
distributes the weight of your head throughout your spine. Keep that
chin back, too. Strive to do this all the time; walking, driving, standing
or sitting at the computer - Curl your core, lift the ribs and roll shoulders back and down (not
shrugged toward the ear or rolled forward), to support the lower
back. Your upper back should be relatively flat (not curved forward),
and your chest curved outward (not flat or sunken in between your
shoulders). - Lift ribs and tighten the lats to keep the body from tilting forward.
Forward Head Posture