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Can Head Posture Cause Pain?

headaches and neck pain image.

You feel exhausted at the end of the day. Your neck always hurts. You have frequent headaches. You have fibromyalgia. Have you wondered if head posture could be the cause?

If you suffer from forward head posture, also known as "forward head carriage," you may suffer from these conditions and quite a few others. An estimated 90% of the population suffers from forward head posture!

When your head is positioned correctly, the opening to your ear is centered over your shoulder. If your ear opening is off center and it's located to the front of the shoulder, then you have forward head posture. And for every inch that your head is off center, an average of 10 -20 additional pounds is exerted on the muscles in your neck and upper back, making them work harder just to keep your head up!

Unfortunately, today's lifestyle contributes to this condition. Workers hunched over their computers all day, children watching television and playing video games, carrying heavy backpacks, cradling the phone between your ear and your shoulder, driving in the car for long periods of time, and bad posture can cause forward head posture. Left untreated, this condition can cause disc compression (herniated discs, degenerative disc disease) and poor health.

So, what can you do about this condition?

  • Be sure to receive regular chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic care is proven to be effective in reversing forward head posture, reducing pain and preventing further deterioration of the spine.
  • Keep the weight of your child's backpack to less than 15% of his/her body weight.
  • Get up and stretch every 15-20 minutes if you sit at a desk all day.
  • Limit the amount of time your child spends watching television or playing video games.
  • Focus more on your posture, making sure you are sitting up straight with your head in an upright position.
  • Sleep on a cervical pillow to maintain the proper curve in your cervical spine.

If you are concerned about forward head posture or you have neck/back pain, headaches, muscle weakness in the neck, fatigue or any other symptoms that you're concerned about, please be sure to tell us when you come in for your next chiropractic adjustment.

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Dr. Ager Asks some important questions of interest to Denville residents - Chiropractor Denville Dr. Ager Asks...

How do you "catch" a cold?
Simply lower your resistance by avoiding the proper rest and exercise, eating lots of sugar and junk food, putting up with emotional stress and neglecting your nervous system by avoiding your chiropractor. You won't have to catch a cold because it will catch you!
What is the purpose of pain?
Pain prompts many Denville folks to begin chiropractic care. But pain isn't the problem! Pain is just how your body alerts you that a limit has been reached (or exceeded), that something isn't working right and that some type of change is needed. As a chiropractor, my job is finding the underlying cause and recommending the changes needed to bring your body back into balance.