Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka speculates that you are feeling
most likely one of these things this very moment:
tight jaw, stiff shoulders edging up toward
your ears, chin tilting down, head protruding
forward on your neck. And if you are on your
cellphone reading this, you are likely doing all of these at the same time!
Forward head carriage or forward head posture (that Wikipedia (1) refers to as
“Justin Bieber Head” and "iHunch"!) is well-known to most
of us. Cell phone use, unsuitable computer screen
set-up, and stress may all play a
role. This posture forces our 10 pound heads to stick
out and off of our necks. Not a pretty sight
or healthy state! Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka helps!
FORWARD HEAD CARRIAGE / FORWARD NECK POSTURE EXPLAINED
What is it? Forward head carriage occurs when
your neck juts forward over your first spinal vertebra, C1
(cervical vertebra 1). Each inch forward increases the weight on
your neck by 10 pounds. (2) That adds up! What results? Neck
pain. Shoulder stiffness. Pain between the shoulders. Fatigue. Headache. Arm pain. Jaw pain. Do you feel it?
FORWARD HEAD CARRIAGE / FORWARD NECK POSTURE HELPED
What is relieving? It may appear
that since it’s a neck issue caring for the neck and
focusing on the neck itself only would
have the greatest impact toward resolving
the issue and any related pain. A group of researchers reported
that this isn’t really the case. They compared neck mobilization treatment (plus stabilization exercise) to
thoracic spine (upper back) mobilization treatment (plus stabilization
exercise. They discovered that delivering thoracic
spine mobilization treatment plus stabilization exercise worked better. Pain, disability, and global rating of change by patients
all got better along with their craniovertebral angle when
standing as well as their cervical extension posture. (3) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka uses
Cox® Technic, a gentle stretching treatment for the neck and
thoracic spine that is quite effective for spinal conditions
like this. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka makes
certain that our Sitka chiropractic patients with forward head posture
get their thoracic spines treated! Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka also encourages
our [[targeltocation]] chiropractic care patients with forward head carriage to do
their part, too, by doing the stabilization and
other recommended exercises!
SIMPLE TIPS FOR FORWARD NECK POSTURE CORRECTION
A few simple things help a great
deal. Align your computer screen level with your eye level. Stretch often while doing inactive work (computer, desk, TV). Intentionally
correct your standing posture so you are straight.
Lean into a wall with your shoulders, head, hips all touching the wall. Listen and vigilantly perform
any neck strengthening exercises your Sitka chiropractor recommends.
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka will keep the exercises simple
so our Sitka chiropractic patients will do them!
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
of a neck and arm pain patient helped with cervical spine Cox®
Technic spinal manipulation!
Schedule a Sitka chiropractic visit at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
for your forward head carriage or forward head posture. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka supposes
that you have already helped yourself after reading this article!
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka guesses that you stretched your head up, relaxed
your shoulders down, and tucked your chin back the moment you
read the first paragraph. The first step of change is noticing
that it’s needed!
