Forward head: what is it, symptoms and causes

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CATEGORÍAS

Cervical

Many people maintain a stooped posture in their daily lives. Initially this posture may be comfortable and relaxing, but in the long run it leads to neck and shoulder pain, hernias, headaches and other discomforts. There are a number of causes that can trigger forward head posture, as well as symptoms that can guide you to realize that you are suffering from it.

What is the forward head?

It is a postural disorder that affects the upper region of the body and causes the head to be positioned forward. Initially this abnormal neck posture usually has no symptoms. However, as it continues to be maintained, it can cause muscle imbalances and resulting compensations triggering craniofacial discomfort, headaches, cervicalgia and shoulder pain. As well as decreased cervical range of motion, muscle stiffness and tenderness.

Causes

  • Work posture and sedentary lifestyle: leaning forward or backward in the neck for prolonged periods of time. Sitting  or relaxing in incorrectly positions while using a computer or cell phone for long periods of time.

  • Unbalanced training: overtraining of the anterior flexor chain and undertraining of the upper back.

  • Result of poor biomechanics in the pelvic and lumbar spine.

  • Sleeping with pillows that are too high.

  • Uneven muscle development or congenital defects.

Consecuences

  • Neck pain (cervical pain).

  • Tension headaches.

  • Myalgias.

  • Joint irritation.

  • Nerve compression.

  • Tension plus discomfort in chest, shoulders and arms.

  • Temporomandibular disorders.

  • Early disc degeneration and osteophyte formation.

Head posture can indicate many things, so it is important to maintain good body position. There are a number of treatments that a physical therapist can teach you to correct this condition.

COMPARTIR
CATEGORÍAS

Cervical

Many people maintain a stooped posture in their daily lives. Initially this posture may be comfortable and relaxing, but in the long run it leads to neck and shoulder pain, hernias, headaches and other discomforts. There are a number of causes that can trigger forward head posture, as well as symptoms that can guide you to realize that you are suffering from it.

What is the forward head?

It is a postural disorder that affects the upper region of the body and causes the head to be positioned forward. Initially this abnormal neck posture usually has no symptoms. However, as it continues to be maintained, it can cause muscle imbalances and resulting compensations triggering craniofacial discomfort, headaches, cervicalgia and shoulder pain. As well as decreased cervical range of motion, muscle stiffness and tenderness.

Causes

  • Work posture and sedentary lifestyle: leaning forward or backward in the neck for prolonged periods of time. Sitting  or relaxing in incorrectly positions while using a computer or cell phone for long periods of time.

  • Unbalanced training: overtraining of the anterior flexor chain and undertraining of the upper back.

  • Result of poor biomechanics in the pelvic and lumbar spine.

  • Sleeping with pillows that are too high.

  • Uneven muscle development or congenital defects.

Consecuences

  • Neck pain (cervical pain).

  • Tension headaches.

  • Myalgias.

  • Joint irritation.

  • Nerve compression.

  • Tension plus discomfort in chest, shoulders and arms.

  • Temporomandibular disorders.

  • Early disc degeneration and osteophyte formation.

Head posture can indicate many things, so it is important to maintain good body position. There are a number of treatments that a physical therapist can teach you to correct this condition.

CATEGORÍAS

Cervical

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