- Forward Head Syndrome (FHS) is a constellation of health issues that arise from chronic forward head posture (FHP). FHP places extra pressure on the neck, heart, lungs and digestive system, and can reduce lung function by up to 30%. - FHS has been linked to a 42% increased risk of cardiovascular disease in men over 50. Even a 3cm loss of height has been associated with this increased risk. - Prolonged use of laptops, phones and other devices, time spent sitting in cars and chairs, and poor posture habits can all contribute to the development of FHS over time. Simple exercises and posture awareness can help address and prevent FHS.

1. Hidden risks of
Forward Head Syndrome
IBEC Mid-West & Kerry
HEALTH & SAFETY FORUM
5th Nov 2010, Limerick
Presented by
Niall Kelly, MSc(Mgnt), MIITD, MSTAT, MISATT
LANE KELLY ASSOCIATES
Lock Quay, Clare Street, Limerick, Ireland.
Tel 061 413766 Mobile 087 243 8028
www.lanekelly.com www.embodiedlearning.net

2. what causes
a 42% increased risk
in cardio-vascular disease
in men aged 50+
regardless of family history?

3. A
3cm loss
of
Height
(British Regional Heart Survey 1975 – 2008)

4. Wannamethee, S.G.et al. Height loss in older men: associations
with total mortality and incidence of Cardiovascular Disease.
Archives of Internal Medicine, 166 (22). pp. 2546-2552. 2006.
• N =7,735 men aged 40 – 59 in 1978-80 and again 20 later
• Those with a 3.0cm (loss in height) showed a 42% increased risk of
CHD above all men with a height loss of less than 3.0cm combined.

5. Conclusions
• Unclear about causes
• Not osteoporosis
• May reflect poor muscle strength and loss in
skeletal muscle mass (that occurs)with aging.

6. Or could it be Forward Head Syndrome?

7. Agenda
• What is Forward Head Syndrome - FHS
• The hidden, real risks associated with FHS
• Organisational causes and consequences
• Towards solutions
• Q’s and A’s

8. Forward Head Syndrome
A constellation of
adverse health conditions
that arise from chronic
Forward Head Posture

9. Forward Head Posture

12. Consultants and interns review cases

13. Campus Safety Directors meeting

14. What causes FHS?

15. WHY
• FHS
Effect of environmental forces

16. Chairs

17. Cars

18. Computers – especially laptops

19. Evolution?

20. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF FHS?

21. Dr Rene Cailliet, MD, Dir Rehabilitative Medicine,
University of Southern California
• Equal to 40 lbs of pressure on the neck
• Up to 30% reduction in lung function
• Extra pressure on heart
• Impairs intestinal functioning
• Reduces thyroid functioning
• More sensitive to pain

22. +40 lbs of pressure on neck
• 10lbs extra weight per
inch forward (Kapandji)
• 3 inches forward =
30 lbs + 12 lbs =
42lb head!

23. 30% reduction in lung function
• Less oxygenated
blood
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Impaired cognitive
functioning &
disturbance
• Headache

24. Extra pressure on heart
• Increased heart effort
• Increased blood pressure

25. Impaired intestinal functioning
• Reduced peristaltic
functioning
• Slower transit times

26. Reduced thyroid functioning
• Fatigue
• Muscle stiffness
• Poor memory
• Lowered reaction time
• Increased sensitivity to heat and cold
• Hearing sensitivity

27. More sensitivity to pain
• Reduced nerve functioning
• Reduced production of natural opiates

28. Brain doesn’t know difference
between real and imagined

29. Brain doesn’t know difference
between real and imagined

31. Startle
response

32. This is startle. As far as his brain is concerned he
may as well be looking at the tiger

33. FHS can also result in
• Reduced productivity
• Poor performance
• Poor decision making,
• Poor prioritising and late, or lack of action
• Stress
• Depression
• Loss of job

34. Posture impacts health
Roger Sperry PhD
( Medical Nobel Prize for Brain research in 1981)
90%
The more mechanically distorted a person is, the less
energy is available for thinking, metabolism, and healing”
“[More] than 90% of the
energy output of the brain is
used in regulating the
physical body in its
gravitational field.

35. Why do we do it?

36. Lack of Awareness

37. Learned behaviour

38. Poor
Postural
Habits

40. Poor training

42. Adaptive muscle syndrome

43. Towards a somatic solution

45. Quick survey and check for FHS
– Office or work chairs
– People leaning over
desks with head
outside body
– For drivers of cars or
vans
• Check angle of seat
back

46. Eliminate Faulty Beliefs

47. Recognise and Address AMS
• Ensure people keep active during their work
• Make them get up and away from their
computers at regular intervals
• Support them in engaging in regular, gentle,
physical activities that involve reaching and
stretching overhead and behind

48. Create Awareness
Give Feedback – visual and somatic through Alexander Technique

49. Real Somatic
Effects
• Neck muscles
• Breathing
• Heart
• Digestion
• Thyroid
Brain
• Brain reads
imagined as
real
• Acts
accordingly
Results
Stress
and
Illness
Performance
Drops
3Ds
• Discipline
• Dismissal
• Damages
Hidden Effects and Possible Risks

50. To summarise
• FHP + FHS are very common problems
• Not readily addressed by ergonomics
• Indisputable health risks
–Moderate to severe and possibly death
• Potential organisational risks
–Reputational and financial
• Easily fixed using Alexander Technique

51. WHY
• FHS
Unconscious effect of environmental forces

52. Positive effect of
environment shaped by
conscious awareness,
control & direction.
Elizabeth Walker, a
lifetime Alexander
Technique teacher
at age 89!
She has just brought
her partner into
standing from a deep
squat. (see those behind)
How straight is your
back?
How well balanced is
your head?

53. If you would like a copy of the paper that accompanied this
presentation please contact me on niall@lanekelly.com
I am interested in researching FHP and FHS further and their
effects on presence and performance.
Please contact me if you would like to collaborate.
Niall Kelly, MSc(Mgnt), MIITD, MSTAT, MISATT
LANE KELLY ASSOCIATES
Lock Quay, Clare Street, Limerick, Ireland
niall@lanekelly.com Blog www.embodiedlearning.net