Evidence Suggesting the Harmful Consequences of Head Forward Posture

There are many negative effects of FHP. Those typically cited include frequent headaches, muscular pain and fatigue, decreased range of motion. But there is also a connection between your head posture and breathing.

A study published in the Library of Medicine made the correlation between participants in the study who displayed FHP also tended to have more severe cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Similarly, another study connected FHP with decreased respiratory function. This study had all 15 participants (healthy men) breathe from a seated position, first with a neutral neck posture and then with a forward head posture. Each participant was monitored for vitals. Thoracic shape of each participant was monitored and assessed after each trial. It was found the upper thorax expanded and the lower thorax contracted when each participant breathed in FHP, leading to reduced respiration.

In terms of the upper airway, there is evidence that Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is associated with higher or more severe FHP.  In a study released in March of this year with a sample size of 1,500 children (including one control group and one at risk study group for pediatric sleep problems), it was found that those most at risk in the study group had significantly shorter frenulum and higher palate arches. They also had a higher measure of Forward Head Posture.

The Bottom Line

Forward Head Posture can worsen the conditions of those already susceptible to OSA. Everything in the body is connected. If the muscles in the neck are strained, this puts strain on the facial muscles as well. A forward leaning neck posture may also create issues with tongue placement, another common factor that increases the risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea. 

Forward Head Posture is just one of the things we take into consideration when assessing the best care for you.

 In holistic dentistry one of the primary tenants of our practice is to consider the whole individual. Since everything in the body is connected, taking into account any and all issues offers us clues to oral contributions to other problems such as forward head posture. Understanding contributing factors helps us craft a dental treatment plan tailored to your needs. 

Brożek-Mądry , E., Burska, Z., Steć, Z., Burgbard, M., & Krzeski, A. (2021, March). Short lingual frenulum and head-forward posture in children with the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33823467/.

Koseki, T., Kakzaki, F., Hayashi, S., Nishida, N., & Itoh, M. (2019, January). Effect of forward head posture on thoracic shape and respiratory function. Journal of physical therapy science. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30774207/.

Ozbek, M. M., Miyamoto, K., Lowe, A. A., & Fleetham, J. A. (n.d.). Natural head posture, upper airway morphology and obstructive sleep apnoea severity in adults. European journal of orthodontics. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9633167/.