Neck and Jaw Pain: The Relationship between Forward Head Posture, Mouth Breathing and Pain
The way we carry our head can really set the tone for what happens with our anatomy further down our body.
Forward head posture, also known as, forward head carriage or in more recent times “text neck”, is intimately related to our breathing patten.
Quite often a forward head posture can cause changes that lead to a shallow, mouth breathing respiratory pattern. This pattern of breathing is quite dysfunctional, often increasing the recruitment in muscles such as the SCM, scalenes and pectorals minor. A chronic tightness in these structures increases the risk of experiencing such things as:
- TMJ pain
- Neck pain
- Thoracic spine pain
- Shoulder pain
- Headaches
It is sometimes the missing piece in overcoming chronic pain, especially in regards to the neck, shoulders and jaw. I’m sure many of you can relate to having experienced a great massage treatment where you feel like all the knots in your muscles have been worked on and things are released only to find that a week later you are feeling tight in your muscles and your pain is starting to come back again. It can be very frustrating and confusing.
This is why it is very important to address the underlying causes of forward head posture and incorrect breathing patterns to overcome neck and jaw pain.
It is also important to note that postural positions and breathing patterns also can affect our bodies in many complex ways; including issues with pelvic girdle pain, pelvic floor control and even such things as the ability to heal diastasis recti. But perhaps that can be a blog for another day…
If you are trying to overcome chronic neck, jaw and shoulder tension and just can’t figure it out then perhaps a great assessment of your posture and breathing is just what you need and some treatment and exercises to improve the underlying cause is just what you need!
If you are looking for answers make an appointment HERE.
Hi, I’m Amanda. Chiropractor, mum, human body nerd, keen walker (with stroller of course) and social butterfly. I work with mothers and babies to help with underlying musculoskeletal issues of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding; so that mothers can gain confidence in their body for their birthing and breastfeeding journey.
