Reducing Tension Headaches Caused by Poor Posture

Ergonomics is the study of posture and positioning of your body. It sounds pretty boring until you consider that millions of people are suffering from headaches every day related to their posture! Whether it’s an assembly line, typewriter, computer, tablet, or phone, you are likely spending a lot of time looking down.

Research has found that up to 20 pounds of pressure is placed on your neck for every inch your chin extends forward or down. This increased pressure can irritate the tissues of your neck leading to everything from premature degenerative changes to chronic headaches.

Maintaining a healthy posture can not only help reduce the stress and pressure on the spinal joints of your neck- but it can also help dramatically reduce headaches. The first step in regaining a proper posture is to establish normal motion. This is why chiropractic adjustments are likely to become your new best friend.

Chiropractic care is focused on finding the areas of your spine which aren’t moving correctly and gently helping them regain their normal range of motion. After we have worked with you to restore proper movement, then we can focus on strengthening the muscles supporting your neck and back. This personalized type of care is how we have been able to help many people just like you establish better posture and reduce the frequency and severity of their headaches.

• Every inch of forward head posture places up to 20 lbs of pressure on your neck
• This pressure can contribute to tension headaches
• Research has shown chiropractic care can dramatically improve your posture and reduce your headaches  

Take a look around your workstation the next time you are at the office. Is it set up in a way that's ergonomically correct? If not, or if you're not sure, just let your chiropractor know. They would be happy to set up a time to come to your office, evaluate your workplace, and provide specifics recommendations for improvement to help keep you and everyone you work with feeling great!  

Science Source:

Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Chiropractic Treatment of Adults with Headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Volume 34, Number 5. 2011

Efficacy of Manual and Manipulative Therapy in the Perception of Pain and Cervical Motion in Patients with Tension-Type Headache: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. (2014) 13, 4-13