'Head forward' posture affects ankle joint range of motion

NewsBot · Jan 24, 2013

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
The Effect of Forward Head on Ankle Joint Range of Motion and Static Balance
Hyong In Hyouk, Kim Jae Hyun
Journal of Physical Therapy Science
Vol. 24 (2012) No. 9 October p. 925-927

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of forward head posture on ankle joint range of motion and static balance.

[Subjects] The study subjects were on 51 healthy undergraduates (22 males and 29 females) who had not experienced cervical or shoulder pains, or hospital diagnosis of musculoskeletal dysfunction in the previous four weeks.

[Methods] The cranial vertical angle (CVA) was measured to investigate forward head posture, and the Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, 56 Miryam Ramat Gan, Sunlight, Israil) was used to measure static balance using the stability test index (STI). Distal dualer-IQ (JTECH Medical, USA) was used to measure ankle joint range of motion.

[Results] Cranial vertical angle had an influence on ankle joint plantarflexion, but no influence on static balance.

[Conclusion] Forward head posture was shown to transmit tension to the ankle joint through the superficial back-line, one of the myofascial meridians connected to the fascia, which suggests that tension in the neck muscles influence the ankle joints.
Click to expand...

Dananberg · Jan 28, 2013

This can certainly be thought of differently. Prehaps it is the lack of mobility in the ankles which ultimately results in forward head posture....and not the other way around. It is the entire body which passes over the foot with each step. Failure of the foot to permit this motion will ultimately be met with adjustments within the postural frame. Is the tightness in the lower back the cause....or the result of trying to resist the forward flexion of the torso and sagittal plane motion is restricted at the foot level?
Howard

Simon Spooner · Jan 28, 2013

Tilting the head forward also shifts the centre of pressure more distally under the foot, increasing the external ankle dorsiflexion moment.

HansMassage · Jan 30, 2013

Simon Spooner said: ↑

Tilting the head forward also shifts the centre of pressure more distally under the foot, increasing the external ankle dorsiflexion moment.
Click to expand...

This is my argument: Every shift in body position requires compensating shift in the feet.

The judgement call is should we try to change the posture from the feet or change the feet from the posture?

My assignment is the latter.
Hans Albert Quistorff, LMP
Antalgic Posture Pain Specialist
http://reflexposturology.weebly.com/

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Dananberg Active Member

Simon Spooner MVP

HansMassage Active Member

'Head-banging...'

Share This Page