Does Forward Head Posture Influence Somatosensory Evoked Potentials and Somatosensory Processing in Asymptomatic Young Adults?
Forward head posture (FHP) is when the head sits too far forward compared to the shoulders. This shifts weight away from its natural balance point, stressing the neck and upper back. The study shows that even in healthy young adults with no pain, FHP changes how the brain and nervous system process information from the body.
Simple takeaways
Nerves work less efficiently: When the head is forward, signals traveling from the body to the brain slow down or weaken.
Brain processing is affected: The brain has to work harder to interpret signals, which can influence coordination, balance, and reaction time.
No pain doesn’t mean no problem: These changes occur even without symptoms, meaning posture issues silently affect function.
Why posture assessment matters
Posture is more than appearance. It directly influences how the spine and nervous system function.
Chiropractors trained in Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP) don’t just look at pain—they measure spinal alignment and posture precisely (e.g., craniovertebral angle, cervical curve).
This assessment allows them to detect hidden stress on the nervous system and create corrective care plans that restore alignment and improve overall function, not just relieve discomfort.
Implications for care
Regular posture checks should be part of preventive healthcare.
By identifying forward head posture early, chiropractors can apply corrective methods before it progresses into pain, degeneration, or reduced performance.
For patients, the practical takeaway is: how you hold your head and spine every day matters to your nervous system health.
Moustafa IM, Diab AAM, Harrison DE. Does Forward Head Posture Influence Somatosensory Evoked Potentials and Somatosensory Processing in Asymptomatic Young Adults? Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023; 12(9):3217. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12093217
