Descending Postural Distortional Pattern Resulting from a Forward Head Position

• An Ascending Postural Distortional Pattern or

• A Descending Postural Distortional Pattern (e.g., malocclusions, visual disturbances, cranial trauma)

1.  Position of the head relative to the cervical spine linked to the central coordination of posture 

Cooper BC, Cooper DL, Electromyography of Craniomandibular Disorders, in: Laryngoscope 101: February 1991

2.  Forward Head Position results in stretching (hyperIrritability) of the Short Cervical Muscles (Suboccipital Muscles)

3.  HyperIrritability of the Short Cervical Muscles (SCM) change eye position and gaze direction.   Changing gaze direction, changes posture.  

Han Y, Lennerstrand G, Eye position changes induced by neck muscle vibration in strabismic subjects, in: Graefes Arch Clin Exp  Ophthalmol 1999 Jan; 237 (1): 21-8

4.  HyperIrritability of the SCM linked to postural distortions in the hip. 

Pollard H., Ward G. 1997.  J Manipulative Physiol. Ther. 20(7): 443-447.

5.  CNS Symptoms of SCM HyperIrritability:

• Disequilibria
• Nausea
• Lack of concentration
• Neck headaches 
• Hemicranial Attacks

Skillem P.G. (1954) Great occipital-trigeminus syndrome as revealed by induction block, Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat, 72: 335-340.