Don't lose your head this halloween! Neck strain is avoidable...

Neck strain from forward head posture

We all know that we need to think about our posture from time to time, but what we might not know is that good posture often depends more on good movement and mobility as opposed to how we stand or how straight or level we seem.

Having our head forward is a common thing. Most activities in every day life involve some form of forward crunch, whether you’re sitting and working at your desk, watching the television, reading a book or even pushing your shopping trolley. Whilst you might not put much thought to it your 5 kilogram head, of which about 1.5kilograms is the weight of your brain, can come under more stress. With each degree of additional flexion neck strain increases. With each degree of flexion the pull of your muscles can affect your structure and lead to aches, pains or problems

Reality check: You’re not going to lose your head (unless you’re a Zombie!)

Moving your head forwards is a common motion. It would be wrong to think you need to keep your head upright and straight all the time. That said, coming back every now and then and taking your joints to their full range of motion is often a great idea.

Your muscles are designed to support your head and there are also many other structures (such as your neck facets and how the top two vertebrae in your neck articulate with each other) that help your head to stay up. There’s no danger of your head magically falling off, but when gravity starts to add into the mix when your head is forward, the numbers might startle you.

Knowing the numbers

Your head can vary in weight, courtesy of gravitational pull, by up to 22 kilograms. Your head in proper posture will weigh around 12 kilograms (12 pounds) but at 60 degrees of forward flexion will weigh around 27 kilograms (60 pounds). Just think of all the neck strain you’re creating, just from not lifting up your tablet or phone. Give your neck a break, raise up your phone or tablet…

Getting some help

If you need a helping hand (that’s not an extra from the Addams’ Family!) you can always contact us at Connective Chiropractic. We are well trained, educated and experienced in helping with people who have biomechanical neck strain, aches and pains and even headaches that arise from it. Just click the link below to book in… No tricks, just an opportunity to treat yourself and get away from the neck strain that bothers you…