Line ups for Iphone 4 bring the attention to smartphones and their impact on posture. As people use their smartphones I am of the opinion that we are going to see more postural dysfunction and associated health issues in Society. In my opinion, as a Chiropractor, forward head posture (FHP) is becoming increasingly more common and should be considered a public health issue.
The smartphones are only going to increase this problem.
According to the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, older men and women with hyperkyphotic posture (rounded hump) have higher mortality rates. That means they are more likely to die early. A recent study found this hyperkyphotic posture was associated with a 1.44 greater rate of mortality.
Even your lung capacity and blood pressure are impacted with forward head posture (American Journal of Pain Management). According to Kapandji (Physiology of the Joints, Volume III), for every inch your head moves forwards, it gains 10 pounds in weight, as far as the muscles in your upper back and neck are concerned, because they have to work that much harder to keep the head (chin) from dropping onto your chest.
Posture also has a negative impact on lung function. It is estimated that there is a loss of 30% of vital lung capacity according to Rene Cailliet M.D., famous medical author and former director of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Southern California.
So what is good posture? When your head is positioned correctly, the opening to your ear is centered over your shoulder. If your ear opening is off center and it's located to the front of the shoulder, then you have forward head posture.
Unfortunately, for every inch that your head is off center, an average of 10 -20 additional pounds is exerted on the muscles in your neck and upper back, making them work harder just to keep your head up!
I have noticed that today's lifestyle contributes to this condition. Getting regular check ups from your Chiropractor, living an active lifestyle, and managing your time well can be great tools in achieving better health.
The smartphones are only going to increase this problem.
According to the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, older men and women with hyperkyphotic posture (rounded hump) have higher mortality rates. That means they are more likely to die early. A recent study found this hyperkyphotic posture was associated with a 1.44 greater rate of mortality.
Even your lung capacity and blood pressure are impacted with forward head posture (American Journal of Pain Management). According to Kapandji (Physiology of the Joints, Volume III), for every inch your head moves forwards, it gains 10 pounds in weight, as far as the muscles in your upper back and neck are concerned, because they have to work that much harder to keep the head (chin) from dropping onto your chest.
Posture also has a negative impact on lung function. It is estimated that there is a loss of 30% of vital lung capacity according to Rene Cailliet M.D., famous medical author and former director of the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Southern California.
So what is good posture? When your head is positioned correctly, the opening to your ear is centered over your shoulder. If your ear opening is off center and it's located to the front of the shoulder, then you have forward head posture.
Unfortunately, for every inch that your head is off center, an average of 10 -20 additional pounds is exerted on the muscles in your neck and upper back, making them work harder just to keep your head up!
I have noticed that today's lifestyle contributes to this condition. Getting regular check ups from your Chiropractor, living an active lifestyle, and managing your time well can be great tools in achieving better health.
So the question is how is your posture?
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