Posture and Neck Tension

Long hours at desks and constant screen time can see us in some strange postural positions. Slouching shoulders, a forward head position, and jaw clenching are common patterns. Over time, these positions can create a cycle of tension in the body. This not only causes discomfort in the neck but also influences the nervous system!

When our posture is compromised, it puts our neck muscles to work. These tight muscles can compress nerves, leading to:

Headaches
Tingling
Aching
Or even weakness in the arms

Jaw clenching (which can be linked to the nervous system) is included in this vicious cycle with the neck tightness. These patterns can arise from or contribute to your body’s sympathetic dominant state (nervous system) – the fight or flight response.

When in sympathetic dominance, your body lingers in a heightened state of alertness. The sustained muscle tension it activates gets you ready to run from that tiger! Yet, that nervous system state also contributes to poor sleep, reduced digestion, and anxiety/irritability.

What is actually happening with my neck?

The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles run from just behind the ear to your collarbone and sternum. They play a key role in stabilising and turning the head. When your posture pulls your head forward (computer/phone use), the SCM muscles are placed under constant strain. They become shortened and hyperactive in order to hold the weight of your head, which is no longer stacked over your spine. This shortens and weakens your chest muscles and lengthens/strains your upper back muscles. The overworked SCM muscles (attaching very close to the jaw) often overlaps with jaw clenching or TMJ pain.

Then! With a more hunched and collapsed chest, the diaphragm has less room to expand, altering your breathing. The SCM and front neck scalene muscles (also accessory breathing muscles) overcompensate to aid inhalation, which further increases their muscular tension.

How does acupuncture affect this?

Acupuncture can help to soften the SCM and surrounding muscles. The aim is to reduce that referred pain to your head, neck, and jaw. Concurrently, acupuncture works to calm the nervous system. We encourage more activation of the parasympathetic state allowing the chest to open and the body to restore proper alignment.