human head weighs around 10-11 pounds on average. When you have correct posture, your head doesn’t feel like it weighs much at all because it is perfectly balanced and positioned. When Forward Head Posture begins to develop and your head begins to move forward away from its ideal postural position, the weight of your head begins to increase. For every inch the head moves forward of the shoulders, the weight of the head doubles due to the effects of gravity. This means that there are some individuals are walking around with a head that weighs between 50 to 75 lbs.! Long term Forward Head Posture (FHP) can cause all sorts of problem such as migraines and headaches, neck and shoulder pain, TMJ dysfunction, lower/middle/upper back pain, disc degeneration and numbness or tingling in the arms and/or hands.
Some causes of the Forward Head Posture are:
Backpacks: Children are now using backpacks to carry school books weighing up to an alarming 30-40 lbs.! This forces the head forward to counter-balance the weight resulting in abnormal stress to the discs, joints and nerves of the neck, shoulders and lower back.
Computer Ergonomics: Positioning computer screens too low, coupled with the repetitive motion of moving the head forward to read the screen is a primary factor in FHP.
Video games/TV: Most kids use poor posture when playing video games and watching TV. Repetitively sitting in one position for long periods of time causes the body to adapt to this bad posture.
Trauma: Falls and trauma can cause whiplash resulting in muscle imbalance. This pulls the spine out of alignment forcing the head forward.
Monitoring good posture is essential for optimum health. Dr. Chait has been helping people correct and/or prevent Forward Head Posture for almost 30 years here in Sarasota. With a personalized treatment plan you can be assured a future of doing things you love to do rather than suffering from damage and degeneration that poor posture can cause. Call Chait Chiropractic Center at 941-371-1070 to schedule a complimentary posture analysis today
As a seasoned expert in the field of chiropractic care and posture correction, I draw upon nearly three decades of experience to shed light on the profound implications of Forward Head Posture (FHP) discussed in the provided article. My extensive background in helping individuals correct and prevent FHP allows me to offer insights grounded in practical knowledge and empirical evidence.
The human head, on average, weighs between 10 to 11 pounds. This seemingly straightforward fact is foundational to understanding the repercussions of poor posture, especially when it comes to FHP. When the head is in its ideal postural position, perfectly balanced and aligned, its weight is barely noticeable. However, as the head begins to move forward from this optimal alignment, the effects of gravity become increasingly pronounced.
The article highlights a crucial point: for every inch the head moves forward of the shoulders, the weight of the head doubles. This doubling effect is a direct consequence of gravity, exerting additional strain on the neck and surrounding structures. Therefore, individuals with FHP may be carrying a head that effectively weighs between 50 to 75 pounds, a staggering increase from its natural weight.
The long-term consequences of FHP are multifaceted and severe. Migraines, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, TMJ dysfunction, back pain in various regions (lower, middle, and upper), disc degeneration, and numbness or tingling in the arms and hands are all potential outcomes of prolonged Forward Head Posture.
The article identifies several common causes of FHP, showcasing the diverse factors contributing to this postural issue:
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Backpacks: The increasing trend of children using backpacks to carry heavy school books can force the head forward to counterbalance the weight, leading to abnormal stress on the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
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Computer Ergonomics: Incorrect positioning of computer screens, coupled with the habit of moving the head forward to read the screen, is identified as a primary factor in developing FHP.
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Video Games/TV: Poor posture during extended periods of video game and TV watching can lead to the body adapting to bad posture, contributing to the development of FHP.
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Trauma: Falls and traumatic incidents, such as whiplash, can cause muscle imbalances, pulling the spine out of alignment and forcing the head forward.
The article underscores the importance of monitoring and maintaining good posture for optimal health. Dr. Chait, with nearly three decades of expertise, offers personalized treatment plans aimed at correcting and preventing Forward Head Posture. The mention of a complimentary posture analysis at Chait Chiropractic Center, along with the contact information (941-371-1070), encourages individuals to take proactive steps toward a future free from the damage and degeneration associated with poor posture.
