Forward Head

July 29, 2018 – 

Look around; most of us are by habit looking straight down at our phones.  I find this to be an epidemic of personal proportion.  Quick anatomy lesson, the neck is a lovely string of 7 bones called your cervical vertebra.  The neck by design is a shock absorber for that 8-12 pound skull WE all have.  Now that particular line-up of bones actually has a curvature called the lordotic curve, similar to the curve in your lower back. The curve goes forward so the neck can flex., thus making it fairly simple to look upward.  Directly opposite to the curvature of our neck curve is the action of looking directly downward (toward your toes, or phone.)  This position of the skull is really bad for us, and of course I’d be happy to explain why.  Let’s go thru it shall we?!

1. Gradually impinging the intervertebral discs between the neck bones by always looking down can create bulging or impingement syndrome and may require treatment for pain and left untreated can require surgery.

2. Did you realize a choke hold (like by Police or UFC fighters) is administered to block oxygen to your brain. Looking directly downward also restricts some blood flow to the skull.  Neutral Head is what you want.

3. The head down and hands holding a phone is called ‘shoulder protraction’ and is a primary action in the destruction of proper posture. HOLD YOUR PHONE UP to keep your head in a neutral position!

The bottom line is to avoid looking down with your head bent forward for extended periods throughout the day. Spend a whole day being mindful of your posture—is your head bent forward when you drive? When you watch TV? Any prolonged period when your head is looking down is a time when you are putting excessive strain on your neck.

In good health,

Bob

Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller