Forward head posture

Forward head posture (FHP) is the anterior positioning of the cervical spine. This posture is sometimes called "Scholar's Neck", "Wearsie Neck", or "Reading Neck."

It is a posture problem that is caused by several factors including sleeping with the head elevated too high, extended use of computers and cellphones, lack of developed back muscle strength and lack of nutrients such as calcium.

Possible negative effects include tingling and numbness in the arms, and a burning pain between the shoulder blades.

Treatment

Treatment involves correcting the muscle imbalance.
Stretching muscles that cause neck protrusion:

Lower cervical flexors: sternocleidomastoid, anterior and medial scalene muscles.
Upper cervical (capital) extensors: semispinalis capitis, longissimus capitis, splenius capitis, suboccipital muscles

Strengthening muscles that cause neck retraction:^[1]^[2]

Lower cervical extensors: splenius cervicis, semispinalis cervicis, longissimus cervicis
Upper cervical (capital) flexors: longus capitis, Rectus capitis anterior, Suprahyoid muscles

FHP commonly appears as a part of the Upper Crossed Syndrome and Thoracic outlet syndrome. Treatment of which involves stretching muscles in the front of the torso such as the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor while also strength training muscles in the back of the torso such as the rhomboids.

References

↑ Edmondston, SJ; Wallumrød, ME; Macléid, F; Kvamme, LS; Joebges, S; Brabham, GC (June 2008). "Reliability of isometric muscle endurance tests in subjects with postural neck pain.". Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 31 (5): 348–54. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.04.010. PMID 18558277.
↑ Leddy, Alyssa; Polishchuk, Kimberly. "Deep Neck Flexor Stabilisation Protocol". Physiopedia.

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