FHPS is the formal name for that slouched, stooped posture that occurs when the head and ears are forward of the shoulders.
This posture causes the muscles at the base of the skull and in the neck to both overwork and tighten, often causing headaches or reduced range of motion in the neck and also reducing circulation to the head, neck and arms. It's been linked to conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome and lower back pain.
Additionally if you have any degree of FHPS, to see something directly in front of you, you need to tilt your neck back which can compress the spine.
In the image above there are four figures. The one on the far left shows correct posture, with the ear-lobe directly over the middle of the shoulder/arm joint. Personally I don’t think I’ve ever seen this posture in anyone other than dancers!
In the image above there are four figures. The one on the far left shows correct posture, with the ear-lobe directly over the middle of the shoulder/arm joint. Personally I don’t think I’ve ever seen this posture in anyone other than dancers!
Second from the left is most common today, third from the left I’m sure you’ll recognise as “teen slouch” or "computer back" and the figure on the far right is the end result if correction is not made - scary but true!
Correction in the early stages is relatively easy. A simple exercise is ‘Chin Retraction’, that I recommend people practice during dead-time eg waiting at traffic lights, for elevators or in queues, when on-hold on the telephone, during commercial breaks on TV etc.
Try this: put a finger on your chin and gently push backwards, holding for 10 seconds (no more). You can repeat lots of 10 seconds but initially don’t hold for longer. It’s not a big move and you don’t tilt your head up or down. If you start will poor posture and push your chin, your carriage will end up collapsing and you’ll be staring at the ground. It really is a small move but you’ll feel all sorts of sensations in your neck, arms and skull. You make feel tingling in your neck and arms, this is okay as it’s the nerves being worked and it should stop as soon as you release the hold. Simple but effective.
Correction in the early stages is relatively easy. A simple exercise is ‘Chin Retraction’, that I recommend people practice during dead-time eg waiting at traffic lights, for elevators or in queues, when on-hold on the telephone, during commercial breaks on TV etc.
Try this: put a finger on your chin and gently push backwards, holding for 10 seconds (no more). You can repeat lots of 10 seconds but initially don’t hold for longer. It’s not a big move and you don’t tilt your head up or down. If you start will poor posture and push your chin, your carriage will end up collapsing and you’ll be staring at the ground. It really is a small move but you’ll feel all sorts of sensations in your neck, arms and skull. You make feel tingling in your neck and arms, this is okay as it’s the nerves being worked and it should stop as soon as you release the hold. Simple but effective.
If you suffer postural stress in your neck, shoulders and back, most benefit will be got from remedial massage followed by daily practice of the 'chin retraction'.
1 comment:
Very informative . Next time proofread before posting .
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