Forward head posture: this common postural defect increases the gravitational forces of the head and may leads to hyperextension of the head on the neck, flexion of the neck over the thorax, and posterior migration of the jaw. Myofascially, there is lengthening and weakening of the anterior cervical soft tissue and hyoid muscles and hypertrophy of the masticatory muscles, shortening of the muscles of up neck region (suboccipital muscles). This could also cause derangement of the cervical vertebrae beneath the cranium (C1-C0). There would be tightening of the myofascial of anterior chest wall as well. Head forward posture can effect the shoulder and rotator cuff muscles, that can also compromise range of motion in shoulder which can lead to shoulder injuries.

Massage therapy can help by muscular therapy to the neck muscles and myofascial to create a balance between front and back of the upper body portion. Therapist can also give exercises and  postural education to improve the ones posture. See your RMT today!