It's so subtle that we do not even notice it, but this altered posture can throw off our body's alignment and create an environment for increased tension in the muscles, pain and dysfunctional breathing patterns.
So what happens?
We are so focused on the task at hand we do not notice when we begin to slough. "Where our eyes are focused involuntarily affects our head placement. Likewise, the placement of our heads affects our pelvic placement, lower back alignment and overall posture."
The head moves forward on the neck,
the shoulders become rounded and the pelvis tilts forward. This may lead to other symptoms i.e., shortening of the hip flexors (quads), and the lengthening of the hip extensors (hamstrings and gluteal muscles). The back muscles (extensors) become tight and the abdominals (flexors) become weak resulting in a protruding stomach.
Prolonged periods in this forward head posture can cause the head to feel heavier, chest muscles (pectorals) become tight, and the extensors in the upper back and neck to weaken.
Breathing capacity is decreased also because of this position. When breathing is highly costal (increased chest movement), accessory respiratory muscles are constantly being over activated; this reinforces the forward head posture resulting in pain in the adjacent muscles of the neck, back and pelvis and possibly inhibiting free and deep breathing.
In a neutral position the head weighs about 10 - 12lbs, but as we develop a forward flexed posture for every inch the head moves forward on the neck it can increase the weight of the head by 10lbs?
Imagine what that additional weight is doing to the spine. Holding up your head requires even more work in this position.
For years we have been told, sit up straight, do not bend, but is that the real issue? Could it be that we are just spending too much time sitting? Whether it's at our desk for work or study, watching movies or even idling away on our phones..... Too good or too bad a posture is not the problem, static positions are!
Whether you use good/bad posture, staying in one position for too long will cause tension in muscle tissue. No matter how ergonomic your workstation is; you still have to move often.
Active sitting is one way we can include more movement throughout our day.
Check out our brochure on active sitting for more information
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