Different Methods of Forward Head Posture Correction: Does it Matter? A Randomized Controlled Study

Forward head posture has been shown to be a common postural displacement, with a conservative estimate being 66% of the whole population. It is generally believed that this abnormal posture is associated with the development and persistence of many disorders. There are many strategies to treat forward head posture; the commonly used is traditional exercise program, which aims to restore muscle balance by stretching the short muscles and strengthening the weak ones. The second treatment method is Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) rehabilitation program which depend on stretching of the viscous and plastic elements of the longitudinal ligament and intervertebral disc, in addition to effectively stretching the soft tissue through the entire neck area in the direction of the normal head and neck postures as seen with Denneroll traction in addition to mirror image exercise. Up to our knowledge, there is no available studies evaluating the difference between the two forward head correcting methods regarding the amount of head posture correction and the impact of different correction methods on balance. Most important, in the majority of the previous studies which investigated the efficacy of the different posture correction techniques, the subjects were young people. Therefore, the results might not be applicable to all age groups, particularly to the elderly, due to age-related musculoskeletal and physiological changes. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to compare between traditional exercise program and chiropractic biophysics approach in elderly subject .