Migraine Headaches And The 30 Pound Head: Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Head Get Ahead of You

Imagine carrying around a bowling ball all day. Sounds exhausting, right?

Now, imagine that bowling ball is your head, which weighs about 10-12 pounds. Normally, your head sits perfectly on your spine, making it easy for your neck muscles to keep things balanced. But here’s the catch: for every inch your head shifts forward, the weight your neck has to support doubles.

Suddenly, your head feels less like a bowling ball and more like a child hanging from your shoulders. Welcome to the world of Anterior Head Syndrome, or to put simply, your head shifting abnormally forward.

This subtle shift happens to all of us—whether from hours hunched over a computer, binge-watching Netflix, or scrolling through endless social media posts (not great for our health, either). That forward tilt of the neck and head can wreak havoc on your health in ways you might not expect.

The Heavier Your Head, the Bigger the Problems

As your head shifts forward, your neck muscles, ligaments, and spine are forced to support a much greater load. What started as a mere 10 pounds can quickly feel like 30 or even 40 pounds of pressure. Over time, this imbalance puts a strain on your muscles, which can lead to more than just a stiff neck.

Studies have shown that abnormal forward shifting of the head can negatively affect your body’s static and dynamic balance, leaving you more prone to trips and falls (not to mention awkward gym moments!).

But that’s just the start. The added weight and stress on your neck and spine can cause a ripple effect throughout your body, leading to more serious health issues.

Take migraines, for example. With your head pitched forward, the strain on the muscles and nerves at the base of the skull increases. This tension can lead to headaches that range from mild discomfort to debilitating migraines.

So, the next time you feel that familiar throbbing pain creeping up, it might not just be stress—it could be your abnormal spinal alignment shouting for help.

Why Breathing is Harder When Your Head is Out of Line

Your head’s forward shift doesn’t just mess with your neck—it can also squeeze your lungs, quite literally.

Research has found that forward head shifting restricts your thoracic cavity, the part of your chest that holds your lungs. This means less room for your lungs to expand, making deep breaths harder to come by.

So, if you ever catch yourself huffing and puffing just from standing up, your abnormal structural alignment might be to blame.

The Bottom Line: Keep Your Head in the Game (and on Your Spine)

It’s easy to ignore taking care of our bodies when we’re caught up in the hustle of modern life, but Structural Shifts of the spine (like the head shifting forward) isn’t something you should take lightly.

By keeping your head aligned with your spine, you reduce the strain on your neck, prevent tension headaches, take pressure off the spinal cord and nervous system, and even improve your breathing.

As a Structural Chiropractic clinic, our focus at Complete Chiropractic is to determine the presence of structural shifts (like the head shifting forward), and to present an action plan to correct it.

So, the next time you catch yourself hunching over your phone or computer, do yourself a favor: straighten up and give your neck a break. Your head—and your spine—will thank you for it!

  Effect of forward head posture on static and dynamic balance
By: R. Raykar, K. Tajne, T. Palekar (2018)
This study examines the impact of forward head posture on balance, concluding that it negatively affects both static and dynamic balance.
Link to PDF

  Incidence of forward head posture and associated problems in desktop users
By: A.N. Worlikar, M.R. Shah (2019)
Focuses on forward head posture in desktop users and the associated musculoskeletal problems.
Link to PDF

  Prevalence of forward head posture among university students
By: A. Naz, M.S. Bashir, R. Noor (2018)
Explores the prevalence and potential impacts of forward head posture on students.
Link to PDF

  The relationship of forward head posture and rounded shoulders with neck pain in Iranian office workers
By: P. Nejati, S. Lotfian, A. Moezy (2014)
This study investigates the correlation between forward head posture, neck pain, and postural issues.
Link to Article

  Effect of forward head posture on respiratory function
By: T. Koseki, F. Kakizaki, S. Hayashi (2019)
Investigates how forward head posture affects respiratory function, showing a negative impact.
Link to PDF