Why Does Forward-Head Posture Cause Dizziness? Other Symptoms and Remedies

Not a few people have been diagnosed with forward-head posture. Since smartphones became widespread, the term “forward-head posture” has spread alongside them, and in this era, many people are troubled by it or may already have it without realizing. Also commonly called “text neck,” forward-head posture can cause various troubling symptoms.

This time, we detail the symptoms caused by forward-head posture. We also introduce improvement methods, so please use this as a reference.

For how to identify forward-head posture, see this article as well.

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Why Does Forward-Head Posture Cause Dizziness?

First, as the name suggests, forward-head posture refers to a neck that has become straight. Normally, the neck bones — the cervical spine — connect to the thoracic spine with a gentle curve. Forward-head posture is a state where this curve is lost, often due to a prolonged downward-facing posture.

The neck also plays an important role in supporting the head. An adult’s head is said to weigh about 4 to 6 kilograms, and normally the curved cervical spine distributes this weight to reduce strain. However, with forward-head posture, the load on the neck can no longer be distributed, and the burden extends to the shoulders as well.

When the muscles of the neck and shoulders become tense due to forward-head posture, the blood vessels are compressed, leading to poor circulation. The neck has many important blood vessels connecting to the brain, and capillaries also receive their blood supply from there. When these blood vessels experience poor circulation, oxygen supply also decreases, which can become a cause of dizziness and headaches.

Forward-Head Posture Can Also Cause These Other Symptoms

Forward-head posture can cause several symptoms besides dizziness. Here we introduce four possible symptoms.

Reduced Vision

If your forward-head posture is caused by smartphone or computer use, reduced vision can also be considered one symptom. Even while being mindful of the distance to the screen, don’t you often view it with a forward-leaning posture? It’s common for the distance to naturally close without realizing it.

Looking at a screen can reduce tear secretion, making eyes more prone to dryness, and can also cause dry eye and eye strain. Also, the influence of blue light emitted from screens can damage the retina, potentially connecting to reduced vision.

Autonomic Disruption

Forward-head posture can cause not just poor circulation, but also nerve compression. This nerve compression can lead to autonomic disruption. As the muscles around the neck and shoulders become tense and stiff, it affects the autonomic nervous plexus running through that area. The autonomic nervous system is also related to the balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. For this reason, autonomic disruption can potentially cause all kinds of physical discomfort.

The symptoms described below can also arise from autonomic disruption.

Nausea

Nausea can also be caused by autonomic disruption. It can also occur when poor circulation causes insufficient blood and oxygen supply to the brain. In either case, it’s thought that muscular stiffness causes poor circulation, and the resulting nutrient deficiency in the brain triggers nausea.

Numbness and Pain in the Hands

Forward-head posture not only compresses nerves like the autonomic nervous system but also affects the spine. The spine contains the spinal cord, which houses the nerve plexus connecting to the brain that governs bodily sensation. From the cervical spine extend nerves that primarily govern sensation in the arms and hands. When forward-head posture compresses the cervical spine and extends to nerve compression, symptoms like numbness and pain in the hands can appear.

How Can You Improve Forward-Head Posture?

Those who think “I might have forward-head posture” or “I’ve been diagnosed with forward-head posture” are probably curious whether there are ways to improve it. Left untreated, forward-head posture symptoms can worsen. For this reason, rather than thinking it’s too late, it’s important to take early countermeasures for improvement. We also introduce easy methods, so please use them as a reference.

Set Limits on Smartphone Use Time

The best improvement method is shortening your smartphone use time. At the same time, be mindful of your posture while using your smartphone or computer.

When using your smartphone, try to keep it in front of you as much as possible, rather than looking down. Also, when working at a computer, adjusting your chair height up or down can help.

Adjust Pillow Height

Actually, pillow height is also related to forward-head posture. A pillow that doesn’t fit properly places strain on the neck, making forward-head posture more likely. The same applies to pillow firmness. If you feel tired upon waking, or have neck and shoulder stiffness, your pillow may not be suited to you.

If you’re curious about finding the right pillow for yourself, having a custom-made pillow created may also be a good idea.

Correct It Through Chiropractic Bodywork

For those with severe stiffness or troubled by symptoms like headaches and dizziness, going to a chiropractic bodywork salon is also an option. While being mindful of daily habits is important, going to bodywork treatment may allow for faster improvement.

How Long Does It Take to Improve Forward-Head Posture?

It’s often said that improvement generally takes 2 to 6 months. However, the period required to improve forward-head posture also varies depending on the person’s age and how long they’ve had it. The earlier you take improvement measures, the shorter the improvement period tends to be. The period can also vary depending on the improvement method used.

For Improving Forward-Head Posture, KADOMORI’s Treatments Are Recommended!

KADOMORI offers treatment menus that can also help improve forward-head posture. This time, we introduce two of these treatment menus.

Whole-Body Treatment

Whole-Body Treatment identifies the cause of bodily distortion based on each individual’s lifestyle background, and uses hand technique and needles to approach the muscles and bones, helping ease all kinds of symptoms. Its appeal is that KADOMORI’s original technique can achieve fundamental postural improvement.

Beyond improving shoulder stiffness, effects can also be expected for improving rounded shoulders and lower-back pain, and for better sleep quality.

Body-Sculpting Remake ＜Cavitation＞

Body-Sculpting Remake’s Cavitation treatment, through ultrasonic vibration, is effective not just for its slimming effect but also for improving metabolism. As metabolism improves, circulation throughout the body is also promoted, and relief can be expected for symptoms caused by poor circulation.

Because cavitation acts on fat cells, it delivers a strong slimming effect and is also recommended for dieting. It’s a treatment menu that offers the best of both worlds — easing forward-head posture symptoms and a slimming effect.

Troubled by Forward-Head Posture? Consult KADOMORI!

Forward-head posture is also called “text neck.” The neck is a part where important blood vessels run, supporting the head while also delivering necessary nutrients to the brain. When the cervical spine, which normally has a gentle curve, becomes straight, the load meant to support the head can no longer be distributed. It can also become a cause of neck and shoulder stiffness and autonomic disruption, sometimes leading to symptoms like numbness and pain in the hands, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Improvement requires daily practice, but borrowing the hands of professionals, like at a chiropractic bodywork salon, is also an option. KADOMORI offers several treatment menus that can help improve not just bodily distortion and slimming effects, but forward-head posture too. If you’re troubled by forward-head posture, please consult KADOMORI. Let’s improve forward-head posture together, along with other discomforts.