08/11/2022
There is a connection between poor posture and headaches.
Bottom Line:
Ergonomics is the study of the posture and positioning of your body. It sounds boring until you consider that millions of people suffer daily from headaches related to their posture! Whether it’s a puzzle, a computer, a tablet, or your phone, you’re likely spending a lot of time looking down. Recent research found that 20 pounds (9.1 Kg) of pressure is placed on the neck for every inch ( 2,5 cm ) the chin extends forward or down. This increased pressure can irritate the tissues of the neck, leading to everything from premature degenerative changes to chronic headaches.
Why it Matters:
Maintaining a healthy posture not only helps reduce the stress and pressure on the spinal joints of your neck, it also helps dramatically reduce your headaches.
The first step in regaining proper posture is to establish normal motion. Chiropractic care does this by finding the areas of your spine that aren’t moving correctly and gently helping them regain their normal range of motion to improve neurological function through an adjustment. Then, after proper motion is restored, you can start strengthening the muscles that support your neck and back. This personalized type of care is how we’ve been able to help many people (just like you!) establish better posture and reduce the frequency and severity of their headaches.
Action Steps:
Move your neck often in all directions.
Make sure to look up frequently from your screen.
Stand and Walk at least every 30 Mins after sitting.
Make an appointment to see your chiropractor regularly.
Look around your workstation the next time you’re at the office. Is it set up in an ergonomically correct way? If not, just let us know if you’re not sure! We would be happy to set up a time to come to your office, evaluate your workplace, and share our specific recommendations to help keep you and everyone you work with feeling great!
Science Source(s):
Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Chiropractic Treatment of Adults with Headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Volume 34, Number 5. 2011
Efficacy of Manual and Manipulative Therapy in the Perception of Pain and Cervical Motion in Patients with Tension-Type Headache: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. (2014) 13, 4-13
