Last update:
   15-Sep-2021
 

Arch Hellen Med, 38(5), September-October 2021, 612-617

BRIEF REVIEW

The effects of therapeutic exercise in improving forward head posture and functionality in patients with neck pain
A literature update

K. Mylonas,1 P. Angelopoulos,1 E. Billis,2 E. Tsepis,1 M. Tsekoura,2 K. Fousekis1
1Laboratory of Therapeutic Exercise and Sports Rehabilitation, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Patras, Aigio
2Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Patras, Aigio, Greece

Forward head posture (FHP) is a common pathological condition of the cervical spine. FHP is associated with neck pain, and reduced range of motion, strength and functionality. This biomechanical maladaptation is of multifactorial etiology, and muscle strain and articular sprain injuries, pathological adaptation of cervical soft tissues, arthropathy, intervertebral disc pathology and poor body posture may all play a role. Along with other therapeutic interventions, therapeutic exercises can lead to short-term improvement in terms of pain, strength and muscle elasticity, and postural improvement in patients with neck pain and FHP. Further research is needed, adopting a methodological research plan to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise treatment for overall correction of human body posture (cervical, thoracic and lumbar areas), both in the short- and long-term.

Key words: Exercise, Forward head posture, Neck pain.

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