How Bad Posture Can Cause Headaches – Can Chiropractic Help Me?
Headaches are a very common concern for why patients present to a chiropractic physician. There are many different types of headaches:
However, there is a big connection between your posture and your headaches. I will explain how bad posture can cause headaches. The neck holds up and supports your head. If the head is moved forward which oftentimes happens over time from texting on our phone, working all day on the computer, watching tv, etc. it increases the amount of stress on the neck and upper back. For every inch that the head moves forward there is an additional 10 pounds of stress on the neck and upper back structures. Over time, this stress causes misalignments of the neck and upper back resulting in neck pain, upper back pain, and headaches.
So, what does the “ideal posture” look like? Well, there is an easy way to find out. When you look at a person from the side, you want to see the outer opening of their ear in line with their shoulder. In many people what you will notice is that the outer opening of the ear will be located forward or in front of the shoulder. This is what is referred to as anterior head carriage. The head has simply moved forward. This causes the additional stress on the structures of the neck and upper back causing headaches. The neck has to counter balance this extra 10 pounds of weight for every inch the head moves forward and that is how bad posture can cause headaches.
There is good news. Chiropractic adjustments to the neck and upper back and some simple posture re-training exercises will improve your faulty posture and stop your headaches and neck pain. If you have nagging headaches, come see Dr. Lund. Dr. Lund focuses on short term chiropractic relief care to get you out of pain and out of the office in the fewest visits possible. Call today, 651-779-5598 to experience headache relief.
Our office serves many patients in Roseville, MN, Saint Paul, MN, Arden Hills, MN, Shoreview, MN, and Falcon Heights, MN.