How Keeping Your Head on Straight Radically Affects Your Health
by Dr. Ben Lerner

Present information on normal placement of the upright spine reveals the importance of head position in relationship to your body. It is of extreme importance that the position of the cervical spine allow for your head to sit back atop of your shoulders.

Sadly, the effects of gravity, poor posture, the weight of the head, or past trauma will cause neck and skull misplacement leading to something called Forward Head Syndrome, meaning the forward displacement of the head, where your chin is out in front of your shoulders and chest that causes pathological tension on the spinal cord and brain stem.

Rene Cailliet, M.D., the Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California, wrote about the affects of Forward Head Syndrome in his book "Rejuvenation Strategy." Dr. Cailliet had these things to say about the syndrome:

1. Incorrect head positioning leads to improper spinal function.

2. The head in forward posture can add up to 30 pounds of abnormal leverage on the cervical spine.

3. Forward head posture results in loss of vital lung capacity. In fact, lung capacity is depleted by as much as 30 percent. Loss of lung capacity leads to heart and blood vascular problems.

4. The entire gastrointestinal system is affected, particularly the large intestine. Loss of good bowel peristaltic function and evacuation is a common condition that comes with forward head posture and loss of spinal lordotic curves.

5. Forward head posture causes an increase in discomfort and pain. Freedom of motion in the first four cervical vertebrae is a major source of stimuli that causes production of endorphins, and many otherwise non-painful sensations are experienced as pain.

6. Forward head posture causes loss of healthy spine-body motion. The entire body becomes rigid as the range of motion lessens. Soon, one becomes hunched.

These facts discussed by Dr. Cailliet show that it is incredibly important to restore the skull and cervical spine back to their normal position, which can be done by focusing on correcting the position of the skull and any imbalances in posture (i.e. high shoulder, torso rotation, lateral head flexion or rotation), adjusting pertinent cervical vertebrae, and rehabilitating the musculature in the back of the neck and upper shoulders. Such treatments can only be offered by highly trained chiropractors. Remember, standard manipulation and physical therapy will not resolve forward head posture, and neither will taking medications or having surgery for the resulting affects of this condition.

Seek out chiropractors that are able to measure the degree of forward head posture and provide a care plan designed to correct it. The problem and the correction of the problem can be measured through postural evaluation, as well as a re-x-ray. Common techniques for this damaging condition include Pettibon, CBP and some forms of upper cervical work. Maximized Living Doctors are able to help you!