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Health & Fitness

FHP Is A Growing Health Concern Locally

It’s probably not surprising to hear that good posture is very important to the health of your spine. But did you know that it’s also vital for the health of your other bodily systems, such as the digestive, circulatory and respiratory systems?

The head weighs 12 to 15 pounds, as much as a bowling ball.  For every inch that you hold your head forward of your body, it gains 10 lbs of weight.  Now you are carrying 2 bowling balls.  This puts constant stress and strain on the muscles, tendons and bones of the neck.

Researchers found that this puts pressure on the suboccipital nerves and may cause headaches at the base of the skull and frontal headaches as well.  A person may also lose 30% of vital lung capacity.

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Check Yourself for Forward Head Posture, FHP

When you have proper posture, your physical structure is perfectly balanced. To assume a neutral position, stand up straight without bending the joints or twisting the spine. Good posture allows you to stand in a neutral position with minimal effort. Breathing is optimized, as is the circulation of body fluids.

If you are uncertain whether your posture needs improvement, here are some simple self-tests you can perform:

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  • Stand against the wall so that your back and buttocks are up against it, but your feet are about six inches forward. Your head should rest easily against the wall. If not, then you may have FHP or Forward Head Posture.
  • Another test for FHP: imagine a line that drops straight down from your ears. If it hits your shoulders, you’re in good shape. If it falls forward of your shoulder line, then you may have FHP.
  • Look in the mirror. Your ears, shoulders and hips should align horizontally, without tilting to one side.

Some Symptoms of Forward Head Posture

When your joints are shifted out of their normal positions, they begin to undergo abnormal wear and tear. This is expressed as pinched nerves, bone spurs and joint cartilage erosion.

FHP strains the muscles of your shoulders, neck and upper back. For every inch forward that your head is out of alignment, there are 10 additional pounds of pressure placed on your soft tissues: your muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves.

Bad posture may cause pain of the muscles and other soft tissues, nerves, and joints. You may find yourself with a diminished range of motion.

Ways to Improve Posture

Chiropractic adjustments correct vertebral subluxations, but the problem will return if you keep beating up your posture. Here are some simple tips to maintain a healthy spine:

  • If you must sit for long periods of time, especially at a computer, try to remember to stand up about once every half hour.
  • Design your workstation’s ergonomics according to OSHA’s guidelines.
  • Invest in a good cervical supportive device as recommended by a qualified doctor.
  • Strengthen your abdominal muscles so that they support your back.
  • Stay aware of the dangers of slouching.
  • Get an awesome upper cervical adjustment. A balanced spine has the best chance of positioning itself properly.

Reasons to do nothing about FHP

  • You live in a bell tower and want to look like Quasimoto
  • You want to win the contest for the biggest hunchback
  • You enjoy having your chin touch your sternum
  • You want to look a couple inches shorter.
  • You enjoy being ill and want to feel and look horrible.

Motion studies can help show you where the problems are.

Here at Awesome Chiropractic we have the ability to take motion x-rays of your spine and show you exactly what bones are moving and what bones are shutting down.  This is vital to begin the road to correcting FHP and restoring health to the body. 

If you would like to see where your problems are, and follow through and make sure that they are corrected.  Call our office today. 

(810) 225-7246

All you have to lose is your pain.

 

 

 

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