Hidden risks of Forward Head Syndrome

IBEC Mid-West & KerryHEALTH & SAFETY FORUM

5th Nov 2010, Limerick

Presented byNiall Kelly, MSc(Mgnt), MIITD, MSTAT, MISATT

LANE KELLY ASSOCIATESLock Quay, Clare Street, Limerick, Ireland.

Tel 061 413766 Mobile 087 243 8028www.lanekelly.com www.embodiedlearning.net

what causes

a 42% increased risk

in cardio-vascular disease

in men aged 50+

regardless of family history?

A 3cm loss

of Height

(British Regional Heart Survey 1975 –

2008)

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.

Conclusions

• Unclear about causes

• Not osteoporosis

• May reflect poor muscle strength and loss in skeletal muscle mass (that occurs)with aging.

Or could it be Forward Head Syndrome?

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

Forward Head Syndrome

A constellation of adverse health conditions

that arise from chronicForward Head Posture

Forward Head Posture

Consultants and interns review cases

Campus Safety Directors meeting

What causes FHS?

WHY

• FHS

Effect of environmental forces

Chairs

Cars

Computers – especially laptops

Evolution?

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF FHS?

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

+40 lbs of pressure on neck

• 10lbs extra weight per inch forward (Kapandji)

• 3 inches forward = 30 lbs + 12 lbs =

42lb head!

30% reduction in lung function

• Less oxygenated blood

• Shortness of breath• Fatigue• Impaired cognitive

functioning & disturbance

• Headache

Extra pressure on heart

• Increased heart effort• Increased blood pressure

Impaired intestinal functioning

• Reduced peristaltic functioning

• Slower transit times

Reduced thyroid functioning

• Fatigue• Muscle stiffness• Poor memory• Lowered reaction time• Increased sensitivity to heat and cold• Hearing sensitivity

More sensitivity to pain

• Reduced nerve functioning• Reduced production of natural opiates

Brain doesn’t know difference between real and imagined

Brain doesn’t know difference between real and imagined

Startle response

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

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

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.

Why do we do it?

Lack of Awareness

Learned behaviour

Poor PosturalHabits

Poor training

Adaptive muscle syndrome

Towards a somatic solution

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

Eliminate Faulty Beliefs

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

Create Awareness Give Feedback – visual and somatic through Alexander Technique

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

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

WHY

• FHS

Unconscious effect of environmental forces

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?

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 ASSOCIATESLock Quay, Clare Street, Limerick, Ireland

niall@lanekelly.com Blog www.embodiedlearning.net