Is Your Head on Straight?

forward leaning head

How many times when you were growing up did you hear a parent or respected adult tell you to, “Get your head on straight!” This usually followed some serious lapse in judgment that surprised everyone – including yourself – when you realized the error of your ways!

But it really is possible that your head’s not on straight and that can cause all types of problems – physical ones - that may have nothing to do with your judgment!

Your posture may provide one reason for your head not being on straight. Upon examination of many of our patients, we discover a condition known as “Forward Head Posture.” This condition results from the loss of the normal curve in the upper cervical spine, usually as a result of poor posture or some type of uncorrected trauma. Many jobs today require long hours sitting in front of a computer or driving in a car, both of which may contribute to this condition.

Forward head posture usually produces some type of pain or discomfort, which may include headaches, sleep apnea, and pain in the neck, shoulders, back and arms.

Chiropractic care can be effective in reversing forward head posture, returning the cervical spine to its normal C-curve, reducing pain and preventing further degeneration in the spine. Sleeping on a pillow that supports your cervical spine can be helpful. (Ask for more details on your next visit.)

Do you work on a computer for long periods? Or drive for many hours a day? Make sure that you take frequent breaks and that you focus on your posture, making sure you are sitting up straight with your head in an upright position. When your head is on straight, you should feel no pulling in your neck muscles.

If you have any concerns about forward head posture or are experiencing the type of pain described here, please be sure to mention it to us when you come in for your next visit. We want to help you get your head on straight!

Dr. Leslie Asks some important questions of interest to Fountain Valley residents - Chiropractor Fountain Valley Dr. Leslie Asks...

Are chiropractors just concerned with the spine?
Our interest in the spine is because it covers the major communications conduit between your brain and your body. As a Fountain Valley chiropractor my job is to locate areas (usually along the spine) that interfere with proper nerve communications to and from your brain. Chiropractic adjustments help restore nervous system integrity. In this way, chiropractic care can affect the function of your entire body.
Is average normal or is normal average?
Every chiropractor knows that so-called "normal" is merely an average. What's normal for you may not be normal for anyone else. So the chiropractic approach to better health is to tailor our approach to the unique needs of each of our Fountain Valley patients.