The Truth about Forward Head Posture

We all know what forward head posture looks like, we just have to look around us to see a significant amount of the population with their heads stuck forward, but what does it actually mean for a person, and how does it affect your health?

Firstly, it is significantly associated with neck pain, particularly for women and the elderly. In the elderly, it is an accurate predictor of decreased mobility and an increased risk of falls. But get this, one study measuring hyperkyphosis aka ‘dowagers hump’, noted an increased risk in cause-specific early mortality, because of the effect that it puts on the cardiovascular system, the reasons for this are as follows:

 1. Reduced Lung Capacity:

Forward head posture can compress the lungs and reduce the capacity for deep breathing. Shallow breathing may decrease oxygen intake and impair respiratory function, potentially affecting the cardiovascular system.

 2. Poor Circulation:

Incorrect posture can compress blood vessels and impede blood flow. When blood flow is restricted, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, potentially leading to increased blood pressure. 

3. Increased Stress:

Chronic poor posture can contribute to muscle tension and stress. Prolonged stress is associated with the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which can impact cardiovascular health over time.

4. Impaired Autonomic Nervous System:

Poor posture can affect the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and blood pressure. Disruptions in this system can potentially lead to cardiovascular issues.

Even in younger adults, its Forward Head Posture decreases movement, strength, and reaction time.

Improving your posture isn’t simply about trying to ‘stand straighter’, these health issues evolve over many years! A study of 110 people with neck pain and forward head posture was split into two groups; a control group received strengthening and stretching exercises, and others a program of chiropractic and specific neck traction stretching. Both initial programs went for 10 weeks, with a follow-up 3 months later.

The chiropractic group achieved pain relief, but additionally improvements in their neck curve and forward head posture, sensorimotor control, and improvements in their autonomic system dysfunction, which the control group did not. The 3-month follow-up showed that those who continued to do their traction stretches maintained these improvements. This study shows that it isn’t just about ‘flexibility’ or ‘strength’, alignment matters.

In conclusion, forward head carriage is most definitely not a cosmetic issue, but a sign that the spine, and to extent, the nervous system is damaged, which as you can now see, will affect your health in every way. If you have a loved one or friend with forward head carriage, share this information with them, so they too can experience the magic of a healthy spine!