FORWARD HEAD POSTURE- The face of the new pandemic
The aging population have unique needs that are ideally suited for chiropractors. They all have DJD with some degree of disc pathology in the cervical spine and secondarily in the lumbar spine. This process can be observed in the early stages of development in the x-rays of much younger patients. Our spine care should include mirror image spinal adjustments as well as all the remodeling rehabilitative options in our arsenal. Forward Head Posture (FHP) is now a diagnostic term that describes a pandemic condition brought on by the use of electronic devices particularly the daily use of our cell phones. This condition needs to be better understood for its rather serious clinical consequences. What we know to date is the following:
1- FHP causes straightening of the neck lordosis (forward neck curve) that results in abnormally high weight loading on the neck vertebra. This loading ultimately results in degenerative joint disease.
2 - FHP immediately results in facet capsule and disc strain. It elongates the spinal cord and narrows the cerebral spinal canal and can significantly narrow the vertebral artery canal causing abnormal hemodynamics to brain circulation. FHP has been shown in research by Dr. Deed Harrison to cause interference in the sensory and motor cortex.
3 - Anecdotal findings of very common cervical disc pathology with FHP have been observed to have potential serious obstructions to our rehabilitative remodeling efforts. The Cervigard FHP Collar (the "Cervigard Collar") treatment protocols combine mirror image spinal adjustments with rehabilitative exercise and targeted spinal decompression traction that are then finished with the use of the Cervigard Collar for 20 minutes in a seated and slightly reclined head position. This final step allows for ideal cervical spine alignment and remodeling.
The following example of a very common x-ray presentation demonstrates the loss of cervical lordosis with slight kyphosis at C5/C6 vertebral level. This is very often associated with significant disc bulge and herniation that obstructs normal spinal function and can prevent ideal spinal remodeling efforts by chiropractors. Various traction methods can be used to reduce this obstruction to our treatment goals.
The starting lateral neck X-ray is on the left and on the right is the correction potential X-ray taken moments later with the patient wearing the Cervigard Collar. Note both the head posture and the neck curve are realigned. The patient will wear the Cervigard Collar for 20 minutes per day for 6 weeks and as needed afterward.
