09/07/2024
5kg, the approximate weight of our head, is a lot to hold up every second of every day. So many structures are working behind the scenes non-stop to keep our head up in order to keep the eyes level. When we are in a balanced state/posture, the load gets distributed throughout the spine, so that we don't feel the heaviness. The moment we start to deviate from this position we put strain on the body. In the beginning it might not make a huge difference and will be fairly easy to correct with awareness and self-correction, but over time, the body develops a new way of being, which becomes harder to correct.
Think about how you sit at your desk, how you are on your phone/computer and even how you are when you are driving. Most likely, you are slouched. As the head shifts forward (remember, the eyes need to stay level), the spine needs to adjust. In order for the spine to adjust, the muscles need to adjust, but they start opposing each other more strongly than before - it's a battle of the strongest. The winning muscles end up holding the head forward resulting in a world of pain and dysfunction. Fatigue, headaches, neck pain, nerve compression, low back pain and shoulder dysfunction to name a few are all problems that can stem from having a forward head. Even our balance can be thrown as our centre of gravity changes.
Chronic forward head posture has to be addressed over a period of time, releasing the tight muscles and activating and strengthening the weak ones. The nervous system and brain also have to re-learn the "new" correct posture to let old habits die.
Remedial massage, corrective movement (somatics) & structural yoga are ways to help change and correct posture and improve function.
Remember..... FOR EVERY INCH FORWARD YOUR HEAD SITS, YOU ADD AND EXTRA 4-5KG OF WEIGHT THAT YOUR BODY NEEDS TO SUPPORT (every second of every day)
Reach out if you need help. ###