Do you want to know how I developed bad neck posture without using cellphone or laptop?
Well, I am sure you all are curious – especially those that suffer from improper head posture.
But before I go any further, I have a confession to make – I have been suffering from forward neck for the past 6 years now. So, I decided to shun laptops, desktops, tablets and cellphones for 6 months.
After all, media devises are always to be blamed for your forward neck. Nonetheless, these are not always the real reason why you develop a forward neck.
In my case, I avoided using media devises for 6 months but on the 7th month, I realized that my head was still sitting 2 inches ahead of my shoulder line.
So, how did I develop vulture neck posture without watching reels on the cellphone or sitting for hours glued to my laptop?
Well, read on to find out:
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How I Developed Bad Neck Posture without using Cellphone or Laptop – Points Covered:
1) What is Bad Neck Posture?
2) What is a Good Neck Posture?
3) How I Developed Bad Neck Posture without Using Laptop or Cellphone?
4) The Lesson I Learnt the Hard Way
What is Bad Neck Posture?
Bad neck posture is also known as forward neck posture. As the term ‘forward neck’ itself suggests, it is a condition wherein the head is shifting forwards.
In my case, my head was sitting 2 inches forwards from its normal position. Basically, my spine from the neck upwards was literally slanting 2 inches in front of my shoulders.
This posture had become normal for me. I never even realized until I was told by my friends and family members that my head was slanting forwards.
The irony is that when I consulted a medical representative, I was told that my 2 inch head slant was placing 24 pounds of unwanted weight onto my spinal column.
So in a nutshell, bad neck posture can be described as a condition wherein your head is not aligned with the body’s vertical middle line. Your head slants forward and seems to be several inches ahead of your shoulders.
What is a Good Neck Posture?
As I was considering my 2 inch forward head slant to be normal, I was in for utter disappointment. When my buddies and family educated me on forward head posture, I realized I was in trouble.
I then consulted a medical professional to confirm my doubts (that had been sowed into my pious mind by my own folks). This is when my worst fears were finally realized.
The medical representative clearly stated that my neck posture needed an immediate fix. She also said that I was adding in between 20 to 24 pounds of unwanted weight onto my spine.
So, I asked the obvious, “what is a good neck posture?”
This is what the medical rep said to me, “Well, a good neck posture is when your head sits in line with your shoulders. Over here, your ears are in line with your shoulders. Your head is placed slightly behind your body’s vertical line. It may also be in line with your body’s vertical line.”
Basically, your head should be right above your shoulders if you want your posture to be considered “good”.
How I Developed Bad Neck Posture in 6 Months without Using Laptop or Cellphone?
This is a mystery that I would like to explain to each and every one of you who is reading my article.
Even before I determined how to fix neck posture, I needed to know how I developed forward neck in the very first place.
Well, here is how I did the unthinkable:
Walking with My Head Down:
I am not sure when I got into this habit but I believe I have been walking with my head down since I was in my high school. So, I guess, I have been doing this for a good 15 years now.
If I recall correctly, I was told by my elders that, “it is a good habit to walk with your head bowed. It displays good mannerism.”
Well, I think I took my elders way too seriously.
The issue is that I always walked with my eyes stuck to the ground. This forced my head to slant forward a couple of inches from its natural position.
Reading while Lying on the Bed:
The second most common reason why I developed vulture neck posture is because I am a voracious reader.
Well, there is nothing wrong with reading novels BUT you have to learn how to properly align your body for reading a book.
Well, what I am implying is that I used to lie down on the bed (belly down or on the back) and read for hours at length. This really strained my neck and caused aches and pains like never felt before.
The neck posture is never stable or correct when you lie down on the bed and read a book. This is one of the main reasons why my neck muscles weakened and my head protruded forward.
Chopping Veggies on the Kitchen Slab:
Well, everyone cooks as food is essential if you want to stay alive. Nonetheless, cooking is an everyday affair that should ideally not take too much of your time.
In my case, I simply love to cook and I spent on an average a couple of hours daily in the kitchen. One of the most important aspects of cooking is chopping.
This involves placing the veggies, meats and fruits onto the kitchen slab, bending my head forward and slicing the groceries to perfection. It takes time and yes, it does force my head to slant forward – a couple of inches.
Driving with the Seat Reclined to Almost the Max Position:
Yet another reason why I developed forward head posture was because I drove my car in a super-relaxed manner.
The ideal posture for driving is chest out, shoulders squared, stomach in and neck resting right above the shoulders. Basically, the back rest of your driver seat should be at a 90 degree angle (and not 180 degrees).
Well, mine was just the opposite. I always reclined the driver seat to an almost “sleeping position” – just like a business class seat in an airplane.
So, while I was super comfortable, driving in this position demanded my neck to crane forwards as I needed to see what lay ahead on the road.
With time, my head slanted forward even when I placed my driver seat properly (the 90 degree angle), as my neck was habitual to push my head forward an inch or two from its normal position.
Playing Golf – A Hobby I Seriously Regret:
The final blow was a hobby that I undertook because my dad was always pestering me to take up a sport. Now, I was never the sporty type.
So, I decided to pick a game that least involved my muscles – golf.
While golf was not at all taxing, it did place pressure onto my neck. While driving the ball, I had to look down, craning my neck a couple of inches forward.
The end result was simply terrible. I developed a forward neck even before I knew it.
Habit Formation
As a result of the above activities, bending my neck, sliding my head forward and then, performing a task, became a subconscious act.
It just became an instinct.
So, even for a trivial task, such as looking at the sky, required me to first look down onto the ground and then lift my chin towards the sky to catch a glimpse of the rising moon before looking down again.
This is what I termed “forward head posture habit formation”.
Lessons I Learnt
In order to fix neck posture, you need to first have a bad neck posture. Well, I had a nerd neck but the reason why I got a forward neck was quite the opposite of what I was told.
Most people with a forward neck posture blame the laptop, cellphone or tablet for their nerd neck. I do agree with them. But these devises are an integral part of our lives.
Without a laptop or a cellphone, you simply cannot hope to exist in this modern world.
Moreover, your everyday habits (the ones I have discussed above) play a major role in helping you avoid forward neck.
I avoided media devises for 6 months but could not improve my bad neck posture. It is all because my daily habits promoted a forward neck.
So, in order to avoid muscle imbalance or spinal degeneration, you need to first understand what a good posture is and then, apply it to all your daily activities.