Condition
My wife keeps telling me my head sticks out and my shoulders are rolled. I see it in photos and I am not happy about it.
What we hear from forward head posture patients on the first call.
What it is
Forward head carriage (sometimes called "tech neck") is a postural pattern where the head is anterior to the shoulder line. For every inch the head moves forward, the cervical spine carries roughly an extra 10 pounds of load.
What causes it
Phones, screens, prolonged sitting, weak deep neck flexors, and tight upper traps. It compounds over years.
How we diagnose and treat it
Postural exam on dual scales (which side is weight-bearing more), photographic measurement of head position relative to the shoulders, and a range-of-motion study. Treatment combines adjustments to restore cervical mobility with Melanie’s corrective exercise program in the stretch lab.
Symptoms we look for
- Head visibly forward of the shoulders in side-view photos
- Chronic upper trap tightness
- Knot between the shoulder blades
- Headaches that get worse through the day
Cost
First visit: $90. Stretch lab + corrective exercise: $90/hr or $55/30 min.
Timeline
Posture correction is a 3–6 month project. The adjustments restore mobility; the exercise locks in the new position.
Related conditions
Neck pain
Stiffness, soreness, or sharp pain in the neck, often with a "knot" that keeps coming back between the shoulder blades.
Headaches
Recurring head pain (at the temples, base of the skull, or "all over") often coming from the neck.
Brain fog
Difficulty concentrating, slow processing, a feeling that the lights are dim. Not always tied to a headache.