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ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Damaging effects of forward head posture

by DR. WAYNE M. FICHTER JR.
| October 7, 2020 1:00 AM

Long-term abnormal neck posture leads to muscle strain, disc herniation, arthritis, pinched nerves and instability. Poor health can result from stretching of the spinal cord. A major part of head, neck, jaw and shoulder pain is due to poor posture, including fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, temporomandibular joint dysfunction and chronic fatigue syndromes.

One of the most predominant postural problems is the forward head posture, or FHB. We are a forward facing world. The repetitive use of computers, texting, video games, trauma and even backpacks have forced the body to adapt a forward head posture. It is the repetition of forward head movement combined with poor ergonomic posture, and or trauma, that causes the body to adapt to a forward head posture.

Ideally your head should sit directly on the neck and shoulders. The weight of your head is approximately the weight of a bowling ball (10-14 pounds). So holding it forward or out of alignment puts strain on your neck and upper back muscles. According to Dr. Adalbert I. Kapandji, an orthopedic surgeon and the author of Physiology of the Joints, Volume Three, for every inch your head is craned forward, 10 pounds of effective weight is added. The additional force on your upper back and neck tissues caused by a forward head position places significant stain on your muscles, joints, ligaments and nerves, and can result in the onset of muscle tension headaches and other musculoskeletal problems.

When spinal tissues are subject to a significant load for a sustained period of time they deform and undergo remodeling changes that could become permanent. The extra pressure on the neck from altered posture flattens the normal curve of the cervical spine, resulting in abnormal strain of muscles, ligaments, bones and joints of the neck, causing the joints to deteriorate faster than normal, resulting in degenerative joint disease or neck arthritis as indicated in an article published in the Spine Journal, recognized internationally as the leading journal in its field and the leading sub-specialty journal for the treatment of spinal disorders.

Call Natural Spine Solutions today and schedule your postural evaluation. Dr. Wayne Fichter will provide a specific treatment plan to address any postural issues. This plan will include chiropractic treatment, exercises and stretches designed to help restore proper alignment of the spine which can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall function.

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Dr. Wayne M. Fichter Jr. is a chiropractor at Natural Spine Solutions. The business is located at 3913 Schreiber Way in Coeur d’Alene, 208-966-4425.