Forward Head Posture

Referenced studies are described as showing direct correlations between anterior head carriage and both disease and mortality. Every inch the head moves forward dramatically increases the mechanical load on the posterior neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Forward head posture directly blocks the internal jugular veins. Forward head posture results directly from the flattening of the cervical curve. Forward head posture caused the internal jugular vein blockage found during an MRI examination. Chronic static contraction reduces the suboccipital muscles' dynamic feedback function. Forward head posture creates cascading postural effects throughout the spine. Spending 8–12 hours per day at a computer causes the head to gradually migrate forward as the anterior neck and upper chest muscles tighten and the posterior extensors lengthen. Forward head posture generates dural tension at the base of the occiput, the junction of the skull and spine. A hard fall onto the coccyx sends a force wave upward through the spine that accumulates as tension in the occiput region, contributing to forward head posture. Poor posture with anterior head carriage causes the suboccipital muscles to become…