Limited neck mobility may be due to this POSTURE
Is Forward Head Posture Limiting Your Neck Movement?
Ia your limited neck mobility due to this posture – Forward Head Posture (FHP). It’s becoming one of the most common postural issues we see at Errol Street Chiropractic – and for good reason. Hours on phones, laptops and devices place more load on the neck than ever before. But beyond causing stiffness or tight muscles, FHP can seriously restrict how well your neck moves.
In this blog, we break down why FHP affects mobility, how we measure it with precision, and what it means for your long-term spinal health.
What Exactly Is Forward Head Posture?
Forward Head Posture occurs when the head sits in front of the shoulders instead of balanced directly above them.
A healthy alignment shows the head sitting less than 15mm forward.
But when the head drifts further — especially beyond 20mm — research consistently shows a rise in:
- Neck and upper back pain
- Muscle fatigue
- Reduced range of motion
- Lingering headaches
- Increased load through the lower cervical spine
In simple terms, the further forward the head shifts, the harder the neck has to work just to hold you upright.
What causes FHP?
While every person is different, the most frequent contributors to FHP include:
- Excessive Use of Handheld Devices
Long hours on phones or tablets often lead to “tech neck,” where the head hangs forward and the neck is flexed for prolonged periods.
2.Poor Laptop or Desk Set-Up
If your screen is too low or your chair isn’t supportive, you may unknowingly lean forward, pushing your head off-centre.
3. Weakness in the Upper Back and Postural Muscles
A lack of strength in the upper back and shoulder stabilisers can make it hard to maintain an upright, neutral posture.
4. Stress, Habit and Fatigue
Many people slump forward when tired or stressed, reinforcing poor movement patterns over time.
Why Posture matters?
This forward drift places ongoing stress on the joints, discs and muscles of the neck — much like carrying a heavy weight away from your body. Research shows that when the head shifts beyond 20 mm forward, there is a significant increase in:
- Neck pain
- Muscle fatigue
- Stiffness
- Compressive load on the lower neck
- Reduced mobility
Assessing Forward Head Posture with PostureScreen
Understanding your posture-especially Forward Head Posture (FHP)-is essential when it comes to identifying the true cause of persistent neck tension, headaches or stiffness. At Errol Street Chiropractic in North Melbourne, we use advanced PostureScreen software to accurately measure and track your posture over time.
Posture Screen allows us to:
- measure how far the head sits forward
- compare your posture over time
- identify patterns linked to neck pain or restricted movement
Assessing Forward Head Posture with Xray analysis
How Far Forward Is Your Head Sitting?
At Errol Street Chiropractic, we also use precise X-ray analysis to determine exactly how far the head sits in front of the body—a key indicator of spinal stress and postural imbalance.
Accurate analysis is the key to best results
Using the results from Posture Screen, our in depth evaluation, including a Myovision scan and xrays if warranted, we can then map out a targeted plan using chiropractic and CBP (Chiropractic BioPhysics) techniques. Too often are we hearing people say office that limited that they have limited neck mobility
There’s Good News
With specific postural chiropractic care, including Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP), it’s possible to:
- Reduce the excessive forward shift
- Improve spinal alignment
- Ease muscle strain
- Restore healthier movement
- Support long-term posture correction
Noticing Chronic Neck Tension or Poor Posture?
If your neck problem isn’t responding to care as you’d hoped, a professional posture assessment can help reveal what’s really going on beneath the surface. A posture and spinal assessment may be the next step to understanding what’s really happening with your neck.
📞 Call us on 9329 1118
📧 Email us anytime to book an assessment
If you’re concerned about your posture, balance, or risk of falls, book an assessment with us at Errol Street Chiropractic North Melbourne— because it’s never too late to stand taller.
Lisa Smycz
www.errolstchiro.com.au
To find out more about the research around better spinal health, then. CLICK HERE. If you would like to know more about what front on posture should look like CLICK HERE. Find out how to assess side posture, please CLICK HERE.
