Ah, computers, the wonders of modern technology that allow us to communicate, travel, pretty much do many things at the click of a button and a good internet connection. They are fantastic pieces of equipment but they do come with their problems, especially if you work with one five days a week, own a Smartphone or a tablet, and have a smart TV as all these devices encourage us to slouch and not sit properly when we use them. Wrong sitting positions lead to forward head posture among other health problems.
Forward head posture comes as a result of these types of activities as well as other activities such as reading, writing, and even washing the dishes…a valid reason to get a dishwasher! This posture is characterized by the head leaning too far forward giving the appearance of a chicken, it’s often referred to as ‘chicken head’.
The head is no longer aligned with the shoulders and when you hold this position you are adding an extra 10 pounds of force to the neck!
A leading posture specialist, a Canadian by the name of Rob Williams, claims that having tight levator scapulae muscles (the ones which connect your neck to the shoulder blades) can contribute to tension headaches.
The extra pressure on your nerves can lead to headaches which originate from the base of the skull, this pressure can also imitate a sinus headache, which if you have experienced, is most unpleasant.
When your forward head posture is out of line, it can pull your spine out of alignment also. This can lead to a 30% loss of your lungs capacity, the amount of air that you expel after a big deep breath. This is serious if you any sort of athlete, or suffering from any sort of breathing ailment.
This pain can range from mild, moderate or marked, which can be as a result of a misaligned forward head posture. A study was undertaken and published in the Journal of Occupational rehabilitation which stated that those who used a computer and reported they had neck pain, 60.5% of them had a forward head posture.
Postural exercises and stretching can significantly reduce neck pain and can help restore structural positions.
Do take care when performing any of these exercises, you must never force your muscles and body into doing things that aren’t comfortable, particularly as these are all restorative exercises.
If you do push yourself too hard you can risk tearing connective tissue which will make the muscles tighten and you more uncomfortable.
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By Holly W.
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