If you’re like I was, you might wonder how a chiropractor can help you improve conditions like asthma, headaches or numbness in hands. It all links back to the “Arc of Life” or natural C curve found in your neck.

Adam Meade, Doctor of Chiropractic, explains that neurosurgeons refer to the curve of the cervical vertebrae the “Arc of Life” because these bones protect the brain stem which is also a passageway for spinal nerves that affect every organ and bodily function. When any one of the four natural curves (neck, mid back, low back and sacral regions) in the spine is misaligned it causes stress that affects the spinal discs, tissues and nerves. One of the most prevalent and destructive imbalances has to do with the cervical curve, the natural curve in the vertebrae of the neck. When we lose the proper curvature of the cervical and lumbar curves, we lose as much as 50% of our spinal strength. A 45-degree curve/arc gives the spinal cord the most room to function at 100%.

Forward Head Posture

When a person maintains good posture, their head aligns vertically with the spine. Forward head posture can occur when a person is leaning their head forward, out of neutral alignment with the spine. For every inch that your head is held forward, (rather than balanced properly over the body) it gains ten pounds of weight. This causes the muscles of your back and neck to have to work that much harder to keep your chin off your chest and the muscles of your chin stay in constant contraction, compressing nerves and leading to headaches at the base of the skull or those that mimic sinus headaches.

University of California’s director of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Rene Calliet says “forward head posture can add up to thirty pounds of abnormal leverage pulling the entire spine out of alignment and may result in the loss of 30% vital lung capacity”.

Subluxation is the term for a misalignment of a spinal vertebra causing irritation of spinal nerves, the spinal cord, and/or the brain. When the cervical curve is lost or reduced, the spinal cord stretches causing a decreased circumference which results in loss of nerve conductivity. Chiropractors adjust the spine and help teach patients how to maintain correct posture and habits that reverse this process, restoring the body’s natural functions and healing capabilities.

What Causes Forward Head Posture?

Forward head posture can be caused by many things happening in your daily life. Forward head posture is caused by excessive screen time, computer use, watching TV, video games, backpacks, trauma (mental, emotional, and physical). Physical trauma leading to forward head posture can come in the form of car accidents, slips or falls, or even birthing trauma from forceps.

There have been numerous studies done to learn more about forward head posture and how chiropractic care can be beneficial for someone who suffers with FHP. In November of 1999 a study was conducted with 985 students from five different age groups in high school that took a look at the effects of carrying backpacks. The postural changes that occurred in the neck's “arc of life” were significant with backpack use in every case. The weight of the backpack did not matter as much as the age and sex of students: the younger students had the greatest deformity of posture and the oldest girls also sustained strong forward head posture.

In 1997 Dr. Herbert Gordon attended the Seattle Fibromyalgia International Team Conference. He explained that head and neck posture is a major factor in the fatigue and immune dysfunction in sufferers of fibromyalgia (FMS) and CFIDS patients (chronic fatigue and immune system dysfunction syndrome).

The clusters of small, layered paraspinal muscles at the top of the spine can begin to atrophy in as little as 20 minutes when unused. He reported that a 1985 study found postural problems common in people that suffer from FMS, myofascial pain syndrome and TMJ. The study found poor sitting and standing posture in 96% of the cases; forward head posture in 85% of the cases; and forward and rounded shoulders in 82% of the cases. Dr. Dean Fishman has seen steadily increasing cases of forward head posture in young patients and has termed the condition “text neck.” The progressive bone changes and abnormal curve in the cervical region in these younger patients is related to the use of hand-held devices such as cell phones, portable video games and overall screen time.

Problems Associated with Forward Head Posture

Forward head posture can bring an array of issues for anyone. Forward head posture can cause: aches, fatigue, disc compression, early arthritis, headaches, TMJ, stiffness/restricted motion, and nerve irritation. Forward head posture also contributes to carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve irritation and numbness. Long term suffering of forward head posture can lead to moderate to severe muscle strain, loss of motion, disc herniations, arthritis and pinched nerves.

It’s important to maintain correct posture because it affects every physical function from breathing to hormonal production. A chiropractor can measure the curve of your “arc of life,” give you regular adjustments, lead you in spinal rehabilitation exercises and teach you posture habits that will greatly improve your health and quality of life. Thanks for reading, Dr. Joe