Health Hazards of Education

When Your Education Becomes Hazardous to your Health

The ACE Strategy to Strengthen Posture Awareness & Control in our Environments

Higher education can be a major factor for young people to develop posture problems.

A recent study of students in undergraduate and postgraduate programs joined the flood of research currently looking at health consequences of postural breakdown in modern society. Researchers looked at how, as young people spend a greater percentage of hours each day working on computers and studying (as well as carrying around their computer and book bags), they are more likely to show an objective deviation from vertical alignment of the head and torso commonly called Forward Head Posture, aka FHP.

The hypothesis was that increased time being sedentary, coupled with maintaining a posture constrained by hands on keyboard with eyes focused on a screen, would mold repetitive movement patterns into progressively greater “Forward Head Posture” over time.

This biomechanic dis-relationship was associated with neuromuscular skeletal issues and clinical symptoms up and down the kinetic chain including:

• Reduced mass of cervical musculature and reduced range of motion
• Neck and shoulder muscle fatigue, pain and reduced overall shoulder girdle range of motion
• Pain in thoracic spine and shoulder girdle regions

The alignment of head over torso in students was measured using a line drawn connecting the auricle of ear and the acromion process, which was then compared to the gravity line, aka an objective vertical. Greater deviation of the head from objective vertical line was defined as greater “forward head posture”.

The phrase “Forward Head Posture” (aka FHP) is in quotes because its not a disease state.  FHP is an observation, a consequence of how an individual’s body has been molded by their actions. In other words, rather than being a true pathology, FHP is a functional compensation, one that develops over time into having elements that having greater relative permanence, or a structural adaptation.

Physically, a tall, erect carriage is a classic indicator of health, as well as of biomechanic efficiency. In addition, from depression to confidence, posture is also considered an indicator of state of mind.

Regardless of how posture is being measured, and regardless of whether we’re looking at the top of the body, the bottom of the body, or the middle, when one body mass deviated from the gravity line, other body masses must compensate. Mechanical stress goes UP and DOWN the kinetic chain of posture, the linkage of the 4 body masses, or the 4 PostureZones – Head, Torso, Pelvis and the Lower Extremity complex.

The PostureZone® model is used by chiropractors, therapists and other clinicians around the world to objectively observe, benchmark, communicate and track how someone stands when it feels as though they’re standing “straight”. Using this model, the StrongPosture® protocols and 7 Steps to StrongPosture® program is the intelligent strategy for modern life.  As society becomes even more tech centric, modifying postural behaviors of tech can help mitigate tech’s impact on physical health (as well as emotional and psychological wellbeing).

The Study’s Conclusion

“Overall, it can be concluded that increasing forward head posture angle may be due to educational background, longer study time, extended laptop work,   carrying heavy backpacks (with books and laptop), and reduced physical activity due to heavier educational demands.”

Stress is at an all-time high for kids today, and one thing that’s unique about this generation is that their body’s (and minds) are being formed in modern tech environments. From both physical and psychologic perspectives, as they progress to higher levels of education, to avoid health problems it’s a smart strategy to focus on the objective verticality of their body…. their posture.

The Study’s Recommendation

“Design preventive and corrective exercise programs for forward head posture deformity optimally tailored to their needs”.

Which is precisely how the StrongPosture® program functionally strengthens posture with BAM 321:

• Balance 3 times a day
• Alignment 2 times a day
• Motion 1 time each a day

• At-home patient rehab. 7 Steps to StrongPosture® is the online at-home program for patients that integrates education and exercise designed to blend easily into your workflow. Subscribe to offer the program to your patients & clients >>>
• CE Approved online education. Posture and Balance Assessment, Rehabilitation & Motor Control Exercise >>>
• Complete in-office rehab program. Pro Training Manual, Patient Handouts and more >>>

Add the StrongPosture® program to your practice get the Posture Rehab Exercise Set and enroll in the online CE course. Take your practice to the next level with CPEP® Posture Specialist Certification.

Standing Desks
Set up your workstation to keep staff (and students) moving during the day. See these standing desk solutions from Flexispot. I use the first one shown, the Pro Plus Standing Desk, in the largest size.