Tackling Forward Head Posture: A Simple Guide with Dr. Eric Herman
In our everyday hustle, glued to our tech gadgets, we often forget about the little habits that can harm our health in the long run. One such issue that is becoming increasingly common is Forward Head Posture (FHP). It's what happens when we're always looking down at our screens and our heads start to tilt forward more than they should. This might seem small, but it can lead to big health issues if we ignore it. So, let's unpack this FHP problem, understand why it happens, and its impacts, and talk about some ways to fix it!
What's Forward Head Posture, Anyway?
Simply put, FHP is when your head starts leaning forward more than it should, away from its naturally balanced position on your spine. A big reason for this is all the time we spend staring at our screens, which tends to make us slouch and tilt our heads down. This small change can put a lot of strain on our neck and back muscles over time.
Why Is Forward Head Posture a Problem?
Imagine this: your head, which weighs between 10 and 15 pounds, starts leaning forward. For every inch it leans, it's like adding an extra 10 pounds of weight. That's like walking around with a 15-pound weight tied around your neck all day! It puts a lot of stress on your neck and upper back and can even mess up your spine's alignment over time.
What Does Forward Head Posture Do to Our Spines?
A lot of us don't realize that FHP can mess with the discs in our necks. Normally, our necks should have a C-shaped curve to help spread the stress when moving. But when our heads lean forward, the curve can straighten, leading to what's known as the “military neck." This can compress the discs in the neck and lead to degeneration over time.
How Can We Fix Forward Head Posture?
The silver lining is that FHP can usually be fixed, especially if we catch it early. In my work, I've found that chiropractic adjustments can be helpful, particularly a technique I use called the Ring Dinger®. It’s shown some great results in correcting FHP.
One easy fix you can try at home is a simple stretch. Just lie on your back and let your head hang over the edge of your bed. Gravity will do the work, helping to stretch your neck and relieve the compression on your discs.
I've seen FHP in about 90% of the patients I treat. It's super important to catch and fix this issue early because once corrected, your spine becomes more stable and less likely to develop other problems. I hope this info helps!
This is Dr. Eric Herman, your Guru chiropractor, wishing you good health, peace, and love. Stay safe, take care, and keep those heads up!