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Noticing changes in the position of the head, neck, and shoulders may suggest that there is a need to look closer at how you stand, sit, and walk.
Forward Head Posture
What's happening to my Posture?
This combination is particularly common, and may reflect the changing world we live in:
- Too long in front of the computer
- Poorly designed workspace
- Sedentary life style
The Forward Head Posture can be found in several of the common posture patterns. Although it has its own classification we can find this pattern within most of the other posture patterns. The positioning of the head, neck, and shoulders can be seen as the consequence of changes that occur not just between these structures but also from below.
Muscle Shortness - What's overworking?
- Upper Trapezius
- Levator Scapula
- Pectoralis Major and Minor
- Rhomboids
Muscle weakness - What's too long?
- Serratus Anterior
- Lower and Middle Trapezius
Considerations
More than just the position of the head is affected with this posture and positional pattern. The head is attached to the neck (cervical spine), which is attached to the upper back (Thoracic Spine), which is attached to the ribs, and the lower back (lumbar spine). By virtue of skeletal and muscle attachments, through altering the position of the head you are in effect changing how the rest of the body functions. Correspondingly, this can be reversed to read that what is occurring below can have an affect on our posture above.
The head is constantly attempting to find an upright, neutral position. This does not mean that it is the correct attempt, but that there is a ‘primitive’ component of the brain that is always searching to direct us both forward and upwards. This mechanism served us well when we were yet to be at the top of the food chain, with predators, a constant threat. While certain basic survival considerations may have changed, our desire to search and move forward and up has not. If poor posture patterns are in place, our ability to straighten up will be hampered with potential faulty messages signaling what correct upright posture is.
As always, when considering your posture, remember that no body region can be altered without having an affect on the whole body.
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