12/03/2025
The Silent Killer: Forward Head Posture, Subluxation and Spinal Deformities
How Vertebral Subluxation Contributes to Morbidity and Mortality, and Why Chiropractic Care Offers Lifesaving Benefits
McCoy Press
Nov 20, 2025
In our tech-driven world, where screens dominate daily life, a seemingly harmless habit, craning your neck forward to check emails or scroll social media, could be silently eroding your health. Forward head posture (FHP), often linked to vertebral subluxation and spinal deformities like loss of cervical lordosis or hyperkyphosis, is not just about aesthetics or occasional neck pain. Emerging research reveals its profound impact on overall well-being, from impaired lung function to increased mortality risk. As a chiropractor, I have seen firsthand how addressing these issues through targeted care can reverse the tide, offering benefits that extend far beyond the spine.
Understanding Forward Head Posture and Spinal Deformities
Forward head posture occurs when the head shifts anteriorly, disrupting the natural alignment of the cervical spine. This misalignment often stems from vertebral subluxation, a dysfunction where vertebrae misalign and interfere with nerve function and biomechanics. Over time, it can lead to reduced cervical lordosis, the natural inward curve of the neck, or exaggerated thoracic kyphosis, the outward curvature.
Studies show that FHP affects up to 66 percent of the population, exacerbated by modern lifestyles such as prolonged smartphone use. In one review, researchers noted that people spend 700 to 1,400 hours annually in this poor posture, leading to accelerated spinal degeneration and related deformities.
Forward head posture and a decreased cervical curve affect the biomechanics of the spine. This can accelerate cervical spine degeneration, contribute to cervical myelopathy, affect proprioception, and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
2016 review on cervical spine alignment
The Role of Vertebral Subluxation in Health Decline
Vertebral subluxation is not just a chiropractic buzzword, it is a core contributor to spinal deformities and systemic issues. When vertebrae shift out of place, they can compress nerves, alter proprioception, and disrupt the autonomic nervous system, which regulates vital functions such as heart rate and digestion.
Research indicates that subluxations associated with FHP lead to inefficient sensorimotor integration and somatosensory processing. In asymptomatic young adults, FHP was linked to altered somatosensory evoked potentials, suggesting broader neurological implications. This dysfunction can cascade into chronic pain, reduced mobility, and autonomic imbalances, setting the stage for morbidity.
Morbidity: The Wide-Ranging Health Impacts
The morbidity from FHP and related spinal deformities is staggering. Poor posture impairs pulmonary function, reduces vital lung capacity, and contributes to headaches, temporomandibular disorders, and interscapular pain. One study found that correcting FHP through chiropractic care improved cervical lordosis by up to 34 percent and enhanced forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow.
Beyond the neck, these issues affect the entire body. Hyperkyphosis, often a progression of untreated subluxations, is associated with restrictive pulmonary disease, poor physical function, and increased fall risk. In older adults, it is linked to decreased bone density, muscular weakness, and degenerative disc disease, amplifying disability.
Chiropractic interventions shine in these cases by addressing the root cause. Techniques such as anterior head weighting, proprioceptive retraining, and specific adjustments have been shown to restore alignment, boost respiratory efficiency, and alleviate symptoms in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
A significant amount of preliminary evidence supports that people without symptoms can benefit from chiropractic care. Improved function can be objectively measured in asymptomatic individuals following chiropractic care in a number of body systems.
2004 literature review on chiropractic adjustments
Mortality Risks: A Sobering Connection
Perhaps the most alarming aspect is the link to mortality. Hyperkyphotic posture predicts higher death rates in older adults, independent of vertebral fractures or osteoporosis. Prospective studies reveal a 1.44 times increased mortality risk for those with hyperkyphosis, particularly from atherosclerosis and pulmonary causes.
Positive sagittal balance, often resulting from uncorrected subluxations and FHP, correlates with poorer health outcomes, including a linear increase in disability as imbalance worsens. In women over 65, hyperkyphosis raised mortality risk by 14 percent per standard deviation increase, even after adjusting for confounders.
These findings underscore that spinal deformities are not isolated problems, they contribute to systemic decline, potentially shortening lifespan through cardiovascular strain, respiratory compromise, and neurodegenerative pathways.
Chiropractic Care: A Multifaceted Solution
Chiropractic offers a non-invasive, holistic approach to combating these risks. By correcting vertebral subluxations, chiropractors restore proper alignment, enhance nerve function, and promote overall homeostasis.
Chiropractic has demonstrated remarkable results. In one case, a 49-year-old patient with cervicogenic radiculopathy, headaches, and vertigo saw complete resolution after reducing subluxation and FHP. Another retrospective study showed improvements in posture, lordosis, and pulmonary function using adjustments, head weighting, and vibration therapy.
These benefits extend to preventive care. Regular adjustments in asymptomatic individuals can optimize autonomic function, sensorimotor control, and sagittal balance, potentially averting morbidity and extending life.
The results of this study indicate that Pettibon analysis and specific adjustments along with a postural correction protocol improved cervical lordosis, forward head posture, and pulmonary function.
2009 study on chiropractic and pulmonary improvements
Real-World Evidence: Case Studies and Research Insights
Research abounds with success stories. A 2003 study using head weighting protocols improved cervical lordosis by 31 to 34 percent and reduced FHP by 14 to 18 millimeters. In aging populations, addressing kyphosis through chiropractic can mitigate progressive deformities, reducing the economic and health burdens of adult spinal deformity.
Patients report not just pain relief but enhanced energy, better sleep, and improved quality of life, echoes of the wide-ranging benefits found throughout the literature.
Beyond the Spine: Systemic Benefits of Chiropractic
Chiropractic’s impact transcends spinal health. By improving proprioception and autonomic function, it supports better balance, reduces fall risks, and enhances cognitive processing. Studies link FHP corrections to normalized sympathetic responses and improved sensorimotor accuracy, suggesting benefits for conditions such as vertigo, anxiety, and athletic performance.
In essence, chiropractic fosters resilience against the morbidity of aging, from neurodegenerative risks to cardiovascular health, proving it is a cornerstone for longevity.
Conclusion: Empower Your Health Through Alignment
Forward head posture and vertebral subluxation are more than postural quirks, they are gateways to morbidity and mortality. Yet chiropractic care has proven ability to restore balance and function. Whether you are dealing with chronic pain or seeking preventive wellness, prioritizing spinal health may be your key to a longer, more vibrant life.
Consult a chiropractor today, your future self will thank you.
