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Forward Head Posture
Forward Head Posture
(FHP) is the most common and serious postural
distortion. This condition occurs when your spinal
curves weaken and distort, causing your head to shift
forward on your shoulders. This poor posture has many
serious and adverse affects on your overall health.
Rene Cailliet, Director of the Department of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, USC, reached the following
conclusions regarding Forward Head Posture (FHP) in
1987:
FHP
is a result of losing the normal curve of the neck. This
distorted posture will cause mechanical block of optimal
spinal function.
FHP
leads to abnormal motion of the first 4 cervical
vertebrae. Motion here is necessary to stimulate
endorphin production. Endorphins are chemicals produced
by the brain and spinal cord to reduce painful stimuli.
With inadequate endorphin production, many otherwise
non-painful sensations are experienced as pain (i.e.
body aches & pains, fibromyalgia, etc.).
FHP
depletes lung capacity by as much as 30%. Shortness of
breath can lead to heart and blood vascular disease.
FHP
pulls the entire spine and body out of alignment making
it rigid and reducing all body motions. The body then
becomes “hunched.”
FHP
causes the entire gastrointestinal track to be affected,
particularly the large intestine. Loss of good bowel
function and evacuation are a common consequence
associated with this postural weakness which may also
lead to toxic effects and disease in the body.
Neurosurgeon Alf Brieg found that Forward Head Posture
will cause a lengthening and axial traction (stretching)
of the spinal cord as the normal curve in the neck
continues to bend and distort forward. This leads to a
functional stenosis (narrowing the diameter of cord with
neurological compression) as the head progressively
shifts forward.
This abnormal elongation of the spinal cord lasts for as
long as your posture is locked in this weakened
structure. The functional stenosis of the cord results
in reduction of energy (nerve signals) to ALL of the
vital organs of your body.
Kapandji, in 1974, concluded that FHP will reduce the
flow of cerebral spinal fluid that nourishes your brain
and spinal cord. This loss of fluid circulation will
further compromise the protection of your brain and
spinal cord. The result of this mechanically induced
stenosis combined with the lack of fluid circulation is
loss of physical and mental well being.
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