Why Your Neck Curve Matters (And How We Can Help Restore It)
When most people think about posture, they focus on standing up straight or avoiding slouching. But there’s one part of your spine that plays a vital role in overall health — and it’s often overlooked: the neck curve, also known as the cervical lordosis.
Your neck is designed to have a gentle, forward-facing curve that helps balance the weight of your head (which can weigh as much as 5–6kg!) and maintain proper spinal alignment. This natural curve acts as a shock absorber, reducing stress on your discs, joints, and spinal cord. When this curve is lost or altered — a condition often referred to as “text neck” or “loss of cervical lordosis” — it can have a ripple effect throughout the entire body.
The Consequences of a Straightened or Reversed Neck Curve
Loss of the cervical curve places abnormal tension on the muscles, ligaments, and discs in your neck and upper back. Over time, this can lead to:
•Chronic neck pain and stiffness
•Headaches and migraines
•Numbness or tingling in the arms and hands
•Early degeneration of spinal discs and joints
•Fatigue, poor focus, and even dizziness
It’s more common than ever, especially in people who spend long hours on phones, tablets, or computers. Poor posture while working, driving, or sleeping can all contribute.
Understanding Forward Head Posture
Forward head posture (FHP) is a common postural distortion where the head juts out in front of the shoulders, placing extra stress on the neck and upper back.
For every inch the head moves forward, it adds roughly 10 pounds of pressure to the spine. This often results in tension, headaches, reduced mobility, and even nerve irritation.
Common causes include prolonged screen use, poor workstation ergonomics, and lack of postural awareness. Over time, FHP can lead to long-term changes in spinal alignment and overall health. At Innate Health Chiropractic, we assess and address forward head posture using gentle, targeted chiropractic adjustments, corrective exercises, and ergonomic advice. By restoring proper spinal alignment and improving postural habits, we help patients reduce discomfort, improve function, and prevent future issues. If you’re noticing stiffness, tension, or a slouched appearance, it could be time for a postural check-up. Your spine will thank you!
How We Assess Your Neck Curve
At Innate Health Chiropractic, we take your spinal alignment seriously. We use a combination of digital postural analysis, including our state-of-the-art 3D posture scan to understand exactly how your cervical spine is aligned. This gives us an accurate and objective view of your neck and how it may be impacting your health. Find out more here: https://innatehealthchiro.co.uk/blog/introducing-our-new-3d-posture-scan/
Restoring the Curve: How Chiropractic Can Help
The good news? The neck curve can often be improved and restored over time with the right care plan. Our approach includes:
•Chiropractic Adjustments: Gentle, specific adjustments help improve spinal motion and alignment, reducing tension and nerve irritation.
•Postural Correction Exercises: We guide you through tailored exercises that retrain muscles and reinforce healthy alignment.
•Spinal Traction orthotics: In some cases, we use an orthotic device that is designed to help gradually restore the cervical curve.
•Lifestyle Guidance: Small daily habits — like how you hold your phone, sit at your desk, or sleep — can make a big difference. We’ll help you optimise them.
Studies show how manual therapy and exercises can improve forward head posture. *
Prevention Is Key
Even if you’re not in pain right now, a poorly aligned neck can be silently affecting your posture and long-term health. By assessing and addressing your cervical curve early, we can help you prevent more serious issues down the line — and help you function at your best.
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Ready to find out how your neck is really doing?
Book an appointment today and let’s take a closer look at your cervical health. Your spine (and future self) will thank you.
Book here https://innatehealthchiro.co.uk/book-appointment/
*Fathollahnejad K, Letafatkar A, Hadadnezhad M. The effect of manual therapy and stabilizing exercises on forward head and rounded shoulder postures: a six-week intervention with a one-month follow-up study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019 Feb 18;20(1):86. doi: 10.1186/s12891-019-2438-y. PMID: 30777064; PMCID: PMC6379958. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30777064/