· Arousal · Exercise · Posture
· Sleep |
The Cause of Internet
and TV Addiction? www.causeof.org |
Forward Head Posture ·
How The Cervical Curve Affects those Inflowing Signals ·
Dr.
Alf Breig and "Adverse Mechanical Tension in the Central Nervous
System" ·
Lung
Capacity, Heart and Blood Vascular Disease ·
Some
Other Important Facts & Factors ·
Posture, Disc Compression, Nerve Entrapment, Etc. ·
How Do Spinal Mechanical Derangements Come About? ·
A More "Technical Review" (For the research
minded reader): "An anterior positioning of the cervical spine is
characteristic of forward head posture." ExRx.net: Common Postural Deficiencies: Forward Head
Posture Identifying
Forward Head Posture "To assess whether you have forward head posture, ·
stand normally ·
in bare feet ·
with your arms by your
sides. ·
Look straight ahead and
have a friend look at you from the side. [you can also check your posture by
using a second mirror] If you have good posture your ear, shoulder, hip, knee and
ankle should sit in vertical alignment. In other words if you drop a
plumb line from your ear it should pass through all those points. If you have
a lot of forward head posture then the imaginary plumb line will fall in
front of these points (photos 1 and 2 below)." Peak Running Performance: Improving Your Posture for
Optimal Performance "The danger of forward head posture and TMJ: The domino
effect
The forward head position can be the cause of not only the ·
head, ·
neck and ·
TMJ problems, but also ·
mid back and low back problems." JungYun's Column: The danger of forward head posture and
TMJ ·
"The vital lung
capacity is reduced as much as 30%. ·
The gastrointestinal system
is affected, particularly the large intestine. ·
When a hunched position is
assumed, the body becomes rigid, and range of motion is affected. ·
Since endorphin
production is reduced, an increase in pain and discomfort results." JungYun's Column: The danger of forward head posture and
TMJ "Numerous investigators describe the effect of altered
mandibular position on cranial posture. Forward and lateral [to the side] head position ·
Changes the
·
It compresses the upper
cervical facet joints causing muscular nerve entrapments. Nerve root
compression or posterior vertebral facet irritation or restriction result in
peripheral entrapment neuropathies. One common entrapment is the greater or
lesser suboccipital nerves that pass between the occiput and atlas. This may
cause headaches or refer pain to the facial region." JungYun's Column: The danger of forward head posture and
TMJ · "Forward head posture with loss of
cervical curve
· · With inadequate endorphin production,
many otherwise non-painful sensations are experienced as pain." Island Chiropractic: Posture and Spinal Position Affect
Physical and Mental Health "Forward head posture causes an increase in discomfort and
pain because: ·
*Proprioceptive
signals from the first 4 cervical (upper neck) vertebrae are a major
source of the stimuli which create the body's pain controlling chemicals
(endorphins). (10,13) ·
With inadequate endorphin
production, many otherwise non painful sensations are experienced as pain.
(2,10) ·
Forward head posture
dramatically reduces endorphin production by limiting the range of motion of
the cervical spine.(2,10)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors ·
The Brain:
Endorphins: Effects: Dopamine Levels ·
The Brain:
Endorphins: Effects: Serotonin Levels Pillows "Evaluate neck position at night since elevating head
too high with additional pillows may act as a continuous neck stretch
throughout the evening exacerbating the forward head posture." WebMD: Answers to Questions: How can I improve my
posture? Weight Lifting "Forward head posture may make it more difficult to perform
exercises with the bar in front of head or neck." WebMD: Answers to Questions: How can I improve my
posture? "Examples of affected exercises: WebMD: Answers to Questions: How can I improve my
posture? "If you lift weights, focus more on upper back exercises
than chest exercises." WebMD: Answers to Questions: How can I improve my
posture? "If by any chance you are currently experiencing neck
pain with a resultant numbness in your chest, shoulder, or arm, please do
not attempt any of the exercises or techniques listed below. Instead, contact
your physician for a proper evaluation. It is better to be safe than
sorry!!" NISMAT: Physical Therapy Corner: Neck Pain Exercises ·
"Corrective
exercises for gravity
induced kyphosis:
ExRx.net: Common Postural Deficiencies: Forward Head
Posture Posture "If you slump or have forward head posture, try to lift
your head up by inhaling and lifting your chest. This will put your
head on top of your shoulders and reduce the stress on the traps [trapezius
muscles] from forward head posture." WebMD: Answers to Questions: How can I improve my
posture? Note:
Stretching some muscles continuously, for longer than 30 seconds, can
exacerbate rounded shoulders and forward head posture by lengthening your
muscles. "You can also try stretching your neck muscles by
standing or sitting straight up and dropping your ear to your shoulder.
You can even pull it [your head] gently to the left with your left hand
toward the shoulder (right hand behind your back) and then reverse, making
sure to keep your head looking forward (don't twist your neck). Other stretches for the upper
body will help, like arm circles and pulling your arm across the
chest." WebMD: Answers to Questions: How can I improve my
posture? ·
Muscle Tension: Upper
Extremity and Neck Flexibility "If by any chance you are currently experiencing neck pain
with a resultant numbness in your chest, shoulder, or arm, please do not
attempt any of the exercises or techniques listed below. Instead, contact
your physician for a proper evaluation. It is better to be safe than
sorry!!" NISMAT:
Physical Therapy Corner: Neck Pain "The preceding information has
been presented for educational purposes only. There is no intent to diagnose
or treat any condition or disease. Anyone wishing to use any of this
information for health improvement purposes is advised to do so under the
supervision of the health care provider of their choice." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "The following article has been adapted
from an original article by Burl Pettibon D.C. Dr.Pettibon's article was
intended for professional practitioners and contained technical details that
might not be immediately understood, or even of great interest to most lay
readers. The following text has been designed to include other pertinent
supportive and explanatory facts as well as the basic facts from Dr.
Pettibon's original work. This article is intended as an
introduction to the several parts of Dr. Pettibon's full structural
remodeling program which serves as the Postural Molding component
of the Somatics Plus structural rehabilitative procedures." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors How The
Cervical Curve Affects those Inflowing Signals "Based on their clinical
observations, for many years, Chiropractors have said that proper freedom
of joint motion in the upper cervical spine is necessary for
good health -- it is only very recently that (non-chiropractic) scientific
studies are showing why that was observed." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "It pays to remember that: the garbled
proprioceptor messages caused by the loss of the normal neck
curve ·
Not only have a negative effect on your body's control of
movement and posture, but ·
Also interferes with your brain's ability to control all
types of motor activity -- that means things like cell function
and even organ and glandular control. ·
In fact the loss of normal proprioceptor messages even
interferes with that most basic process of your cells [cellular
processes], the creation of the energy needed to perform bodily
activities.(7-13)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors Dr. Alf Breig
and "Adverse Mechanical Tension in the Central Nervous System" "Dr. Alf Breig, a Swedish
neurosurgeon ·
Coined the term adverse tension in the central nervous
system to describe the mechanism by which loss of the normal
cervical lordotic curve created serious health problems. ·
His research is amazing, and ·
His clinical results were astounding because he
did surgical correction of cervical curves which actually cured
such things as M.S. and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), etc." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "What Dr. Breig showed was that
as the cervical curve is lost, the tension of the meninges (covering of the
brain and spinal cord) was increased in such a manner that measurable
pressure was exerted on brain-stem nuclei (nerve control centers) which
control our basic life functions. This in turn led to disregulation of
basic metabolic control functions, and disease followed. Dr. Breig
performed surgical procedures to re-establish the cervical lordotic curve and
the diseases disappeared.(28)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "Something that isn't thought
about too often is that the spinal cord is actually only 'tethered' to the
bony skeleton in the upper cervical and lowest sacral areas (top and bottom
ends of the spine). In between these polar attachments, the spinal cord is
relatively free to move up and down. In fact, it has to do so as we bend our
bodies forward and backward, twist, etc. Anything which reduces that freedom
-- such as loss of normal spinal curves -- would be expected to
increase tension on the cord and brain stem, especially as end range
of motion bending forward or backward occurs.
Remember, this increased tension on the cord and brain stem interferes
with the control of basic body processes such as breathing, motor control,
etc." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors Lung Capacity,
Heart and Blood Vascular Disease "Forward head posture results in
loss of vital capacity of the lungs. Lung capacity is depleted by
as much as 30%. This shortness of breath can then lead
to heart and blood vascular disease. These breath related effects
happen primarily because the loss of the the cervical lordosis blocks the
action of the hyoid muscles, especially the inferior hyoid that
is responsible for lifting the first rib during inhalation. This rib
lifting action is necessary for complete aeration of the lungs. Loss
of the cervical lordosis reduces the patients lung and vital capacity up to
30%. (2,13,20)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors Some Other
Important Facts & Factors "Forward head posture causes loss
of normal spinal and body motion which leads to problems other than increased
pain.(2,10) Until age 12, the spinal discs, ligaments and cartilage are fed
by the vascular system. By age 12 or so, the blood supply to these structures
'dries up' -- they become 'avascular'. From then on, it is only 'normal'
spinal coupled motion that can bring nutrients into and take waste
products out of these areas -- this occurs through a 'pumping'
process called nutation.(18)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors Posture, Disc
Compression, Nerve Entrapment, Etc. "As the head rocks backwards on
the top neck vertebra (Atlas, C1) impingement into structures at the
head neck junction (suboccipital triangle) is inevitable. A number of
painful mechanical and muscular nerve entrapments are produced by this
posture if it is allowed to persist. (15, 16, 17)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "In man, neck-spine
mechano-receptors dominate the body's balancing system in combination
with the inner ear balancing system (vestibular function
mechanism) through reflex regulation of equilibrium (balance) in both static
posture and gait. (7,8)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "Cailliet also states: 'Most
attempts to correct posture are directed toward the spine shoulders and
pelvis. All are important, but, the position of the head is the most
important. The body follows the head. The entire body can be aligned by
first aligning the head'. (13)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors How Do Spinal
Mechanical Derangements Come About? "The actual initiating event is
likely to be a trauma of some sort, a whiplash injury (aka flexion-extension
injury), fall, etc. It doesn't take much if the conditions are right.
The head can react like the last person in line in a game of 'crack the whip'
-- the acceleration at the end of the movement chain is greater than at the
point where the movement started." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "Once the head has been subjected
to a rapid acceleration-deceleration process, there is commonly an immediate
localized 'splinting' effect -- the local muscles lock-up to prevent
further damage to the area by restricting movement of the head and
cervical spine. If not corrected, this leads to many serious negative
health consequences.(14)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "The loss of the normal
cervical spinal curve has been found to result in negative effects in the
control of the following: 1. The muscles that control eye
movement, the control of body balance, and the control of gait (walking
balance and coordination). 2. The senses of taste and
smell 3. The ability to speak 4. Swallowing coordination and
patterns 5. TMJ (jaw joint) related
muscle tension 6. Coordination of movement 7. Hand eye coordination 8. As well as to the creation of
rotatory vertigo (sensation of spinning) and, 9. Bilateral tinnitus (ringing
in the ears) (9,10,14)." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "The effects listed above develop
as a result of the following mechanical problems, and then they become
solidified as part of your posture. ·
Loss of Skull Flexion on Atlas (head is locked in a
backward position on the top vertebra and the forward nodding ability
is reduced -- or, leads to abnormally 'coupled' movement when the chin is
moved towards the chest. ·
Weak and unequal strength of the cervical flexor
muscles (muscles on the front of the neck). ·
Forward Head Posture. ·
Loss of the normal cervical lordotic curve [forward head
posture]." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors A More
"Technical Review" (For the research minded reader): "Equally, correcting problems in
the upper cervical spine can lead to seemingly miraculous elimination of
symptoms elsewhere in the body. In fact, cervical lordosis correcting
adjustments have been experimentally shown to increase people's ability
to ·
Aerate their lungs, increase their vital capacity
and ·
Boost their immune systems' activity. Brennen et
al., documented the respiratory burst of immune system enhancing cellular
activity (polymnorphonuclear neutrophils and monocytes) following these
corrective adjustments. (23) In addition, a literature review in the
Chiropractic Journal of Australia showed that T and B lymphocyte numbers,
natural killer cell numbers, antibody levels, phagocytic activity and plasma
endorphin levels are positively influenced by spinal correcting adjustments.
(24)" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "The postural molding and corrective
processes recommended for your use based upon the Pettibon System of
Postural Correction when used in conjunction with the other Somatics
Plus Self Help processes can definitely help you to recover from problems
associated with cervical spine curve loss and FHP problems." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "To Find out more about processes
for correcting these problems please See the article: "Total Postural Rebalancing-- etc." to see a: Description of the Corrective Processes Themselves." Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors "If you have found any of this
information useful, and would like to show your appreciation for finding it
here -- Please consider supporting my ability to continue developing and
presenting more of this alterntive health care information by selecting some
supplements from out excellent Store. Thank you for your consideration.
Angelo Querin" Somatics Plus: Posture, Pain, & Proprioceptors ·
Posture: Rounded
Shoulders: Effects: Thoracic Outlet Compression · Muscle Tension: Upper Extremity and Neck Flexibility ·
Vision: Bates
Method: Palming: Forward Head Posture |