Neutral Head

May 22, 2016 –

I think I would be underestimating if I told you 30 percent of my friends and clients complain about neck pain. There are a variety of reasons why and not one perfect fix. Chiropractic aid might have a thing or two to say about it, as well as your family Doctor … and of course there is always pain meds. But wait just a second; lets take a look at the neck for a moment. Let’s take a look at the spinal structure supporting your skull and very large brain. (FIT Fact: The skull weighs about 10 pounds.)

Lateral or side view:
In this photograph note the head in neutral position with a natural curvature of the cervical vertebra and the skull sitting“in balance.” Ok, look at another viewpoint:  Posterior or rear view:
Once again, the head “in balance” with no spinal deviation or tilt to one side or another.
This is how your spine is intended to support your second largest organ. (the brain)

Often as I start asking questions about a persons lifestyle or behavior there is a VERY good chance I hear some reason their neck ache is behavioral. As an example, lets use my wife, married to me, since I am a much taller person she is constantly looking way up in the air to talk to me … ok, that was a fib. But she does contend with a rather aggravating case of neck pain/disorder. It is not imagined or in her head (excuse the pun) but rather a vocational evil.

For those of you who remember the 80’s when a new fad came across the globe called computers. I thought it would never last and I remember saying that to my coach. Anyhow, the behavior of sitting up tall, hands in front of you and inside your shoulder width (sagittal plane), and looking down or at least skull tilted forward for hours a day, days a week, weeks a month, and you understand year after year … my sweet wife lives with degenerative disc disorder. Chronic neck pain, gosh if she had only read this Bob Report in the 70’s she could have started practicing a neutral head posture.

IF it is you that has neck pain, think about your repetitive behaviors. For those of you who hold a phone/computer in your hand(s) at your lap and look straight down to text or read this applies to you too. My guess is that we are developing generations of neck disorders. OR maybe, just maybe you can start thinking about NEUTRAL HEAD!

F.I.T. Neck check:
– look all the way down and then all the way up …find the middle and your neutral.
– tilt head to one side and then the other…find the middle and your neutral.
– look left and then look to the right …find the middle and your neutral.
– NOW, find dead on center of all the above and your head is in balance!

In good health,

Bob

Rock and Roll: Music for the neck downwards. – Keith Richards