Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsA Postural DeviationMedical TerminologyMuscle Group ImbalanceKyphosisCorrection and TreatmentRisk FactorsA Word From Verywell

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

A Postural Deviation

Medical Terminology

Muscle Group Imbalance

Kyphosis

Correction and Treatment

Risk Factors

A Word From Verywell

Blend Images / Hill Street Studios / Collection:Brand X Pictures / Getty Images

Woman with poor posture working at desk

Your head is in agood alignmentwith your neck when your ear lines up exactly with the gravity line. The gravity line (also called plumb line) is an imaginary straight line representing the downward pull of gravity. It is used in posture assessments as a reference for noting the positions of body parts and determining the presence of any postural misalignment or deviation.

A forward head posture occurs when the head is positioned forward of this gravity line when looking at the body from the side. Forward head posture is considered a postural deviation because the head varies from that reference line.

How to Improve Your Posture Naturally

Certain daily activities such as prolonged computer use may increase neck flexion (flexion means bending forward). Usually, the lower part of your neck (called the lower cervical spine, or lower c-spine for short) is the area that flexes most. The upper c-spine extends (bends backward) as you lift your head to be able to see.

Injuries of the Cervical Spine

Forward head posture often results in a strength imbalance between muscles that support and move your neck, shoulders, and head.The muscles in the back of your neck will become shortened and overactive in a forward head position, while the ones in the front will be lengthened, weaker.

When the shoulders round forward, as they tend to do after many consecutive hours sitting at a desk, computer, or at the wheel, the head is also brought forward.This occurs because the upper back area (called the thoracic spine) supports the neck and head. When the thoracic spine moves or changes its position, your head and neck will typically follow. Most of the head’s weight is in the front, and this contributes to the forward movement as well.

If you have kyphosis, your shoulders hunch forward, and you have to lift your head to be able to see..

Kyphosis Treatment: Correcting Posture and Improving Pain

Standing andsitting with good posture, along withexercisesto strengthen your neck, may help get you back in alignment.Stretching may also help if the neck muscles are tight, which can prevent you from doing your exercises fully. Stretching your neck may also relieve pain.

If your neck gives you a lot of pain, consult with your healthcare provider. Your practitioner may include a postural assessment as part of your diagnosis.

You should only work with a qualified practitioner for managing your forward head posture. Examples are aphysiatrist physician, a physical therapist, or an athletic trainer with experience and advanced education in posture and neck issues. Be sure any allied or holistic health provider you work with is in communication with your doctor.

Almost all of us are at risk for forward head posture.

Common risk factors:

Forward head posture is a common problem. If you have developed it, or if you are at risk, it’s important that you get medical attention so you can prevent complications, such as chronic neck pain or a pinched nerve. You can continue to do the work that you need to do, but you may need some postural adjustments so you won’t continue to strain your neck while you work.

3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kang JH, Park RY, Lee SJ, Kim JY, Yoon SR, Jung KI.The effect of the forward head posture on postural balance in long time computer based worker.Ann Rehabil Med. 2012;36(1):98–104. doi:10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.98Kim DH, Kim CJ, Son SM.Neck pain in adults with forward head posture: Effects of craniovertebral angle and cervical range of motion.Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2018;9(6):309–313. doi:10.24171/j.phrp.2018.9.6.04Szczygieł E, Sieradzki B, Masłoń A, et al.Assessing the impact of certain exercises on the spatial head posture.Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(1):43-51. doi:10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01293

3 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kang JH, Park RY, Lee SJ, Kim JY, Yoon SR, Jung KI.The effect of the forward head posture on postural balance in long time computer based worker.Ann Rehabil Med. 2012;36(1):98–104. doi:10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.98Kim DH, Kim CJ, Son SM.Neck pain in adults with forward head posture: Effects of craniovertebral angle and cervical range of motion.Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2018;9(6):309–313. doi:10.24171/j.phrp.2018.9.6.04Szczygieł E, Sieradzki B, Masłoń A, et al.Assessing the impact of certain exercises on the spatial head posture.Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(1):43-51. doi:10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01293

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Kang JH, Park RY, Lee SJ, Kim JY, Yoon SR, Jung KI.The effect of the forward head posture on postural balance in long time computer based worker.Ann Rehabil Med. 2012;36(1):98–104. doi:10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.98Kim DH, Kim CJ, Son SM.Neck pain in adults with forward head posture: Effects of craniovertebral angle and cervical range of motion.Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2018;9(6):309–313. doi:10.24171/j.phrp.2018.9.6.04Szczygieł E, Sieradzki B, Masłoń A, et al.Assessing the impact of certain exercises on the spatial head posture.Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(1):43-51. doi:10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01293

Kang JH, Park RY, Lee SJ, Kim JY, Yoon SR, Jung KI.The effect of the forward head posture on postural balance in long time computer based worker.Ann Rehabil Med. 2012;36(1):98–104. doi:10.5535/arm.2012.36.1.98

Kim DH, Kim CJ, Son SM.Neck pain in adults with forward head posture: Effects of craniovertebral angle and cervical range of motion.Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2018;9(6):309–313. doi:10.24171/j.phrp.2018.9.6.04

Szczygieł E, Sieradzki B, Masłoń A, et al.Assessing the impact of certain exercises on the spatial head posture.Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(1):43-51. doi:10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01293

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