Can A Chiropractic Health Centre Help Your Neck Posture?
Your posture refers to the way you hold yourself. There are many aspects that affect your posture apart from your back. It is possible to have improper “neck posture” as well. All aspects of your posture go hand-in-hand. So if you have a bad general posture, chances are you also suffer from pain related to improper neck posture.
As a chiropractic health center in the UK, we know a lot about posture. We’ve put together this article to help you better understand neck posture. We’ll even highlight how what we can do to help you.
(Please note that when we use the term “neck posture” in this article, we’re referring to forward head posture, which is otherwise the most commonly used term to refer to this issue.)
What Is Improper Neck Posture?
Improper neck posture (forward head posture) is a state in which your head is positioned too far forward. The human body is designed to be in proper alignment as gravity comes in only one direction. Your head, neck, and back must be in line with each other. Technically, the best posture to maintain is in line with the gravity line. This line is a representation of the optimal stance needed to resist gravity’s downward pull. Your head, neck, and ears are meant to be in line with this.
Bad neck posture often occurs when your head sits too far in front of the gravity line. You can see it very clearly when you view a person from the side. When your posture is like this, it is a deviation from the correct alignment and causes increased stresses on the joints in your neck.
What Causes Bad Neck Posture?
Over the years, society has slowly made sedentary lifestyles the norm. This has led to bad neck posture being a common problem. Lots of people who work long office hours and are meant to stare at a computer screen all day end up with this issue.
Even everyday activities such as extended computer usage can contribute to bad neck flexion, making your neck bend forward too much. This eventually leads to forward head posture issues.
Another leading cause of bad neck posture is an exaggerated kyphosis. This is a medical term used to describe a condition in which your upper back and shoulders cause a rounded back. It may be referred to as “hunchback”, though we find that term less flattering.
Bad neck postures stems from issues related to your cervical spine, which consists of:
– The Cervical Spine (C-Spine): This is what we call the spinal column that lies along your neck. It is divided into an upper and lower section, and supports your head.
– The Lower C-Spine: This is the part of your neck that bends the most. It lies on the lower part of the cervical spine.
– The Upper C-Spine: This part of the C-Spine is the part that bends backward (extends) when you lift your head to help you see something better.
Bad Neck Posture: Symptoms
Bad neck postures can lead to muscle strain and so pain, which should be taken seriously. Knowing the symptoms is important in identifying improper neck posture. Though there are many symptoms, here are the main ones to look out for:
- Soreness: Feeling dull pain/soreness on the back or sides of your neck, or your head/upper back can be a sign of bad neck posture.
- Fatigue/Headaches: Improper neck postures can lead to headaches over time. This is due to the fact that slouching can produce pressure on the head and neck muscles. If you feel a general, widespread pain along your musculoskeletal system, it can lead to Fibromyalgia or chronic muscle strain. This can also lead to memory and mood issues and overall tiredness.
- Chronic Pain: If you feel an extreme burning pain in your muscles, or experience muscle spasms or strains, it could be due to bad neck posture. You may also feel intense pain in your neck. If you experience this type of pain when doing a particular movement, it’s time to visit a chiropractor.
- Tight Muscles: Reduced muscle function and reduced mobility in certain parts of the body are common symptoms. Tight/inflamed muscles, pinched nerves, stiff neck, and numbness in hand are all examples.
How Our Chiropractic Center Can Fix Your Bad Neck Posture
Though it may seem difficult, it is possible to treat bad neck posture. No invasive surgery is needed to fix this common issue. There are many ways to fix improper neck posture, such as posture exercises, daily stretching, and changes in daily habits. You won’t see results overnight, of course. You need to follow a routine with commitment if you really want to see change. Our chiropractors can help you with this. We can guide you on which stretches and exercises to do and may prescribe adjustments if needed.
At Amersham Chiropractic Centre, we use postural examinations to properly assess your individual condition, as each case is different. First, we’ll properly analyse your neck posture so we can zero in on the best treatment plan for you. This entails observing your posture in its natural state and taking note of any deviations. Once this is done, we may prescribe an adjustment followed by an exercise routine, or just the routine itself. The exercises we prescribe will be catering to your specific case to help correct your neck postures over time.
We hope this article helped you understand more about good posture. If you think you have improper neck posture, book an appointment at Amersham Chiropractic Centre. We’ll help you align in no time!
