01/31/2026
Forward head posture with rounded shoulders changes how load is distributed through the body over time. As a result, people may notice things like:
• Neck tension or stiffness
• Frequent headaches or migraines
• Upper back and shoulder tension
• Jaw or facial tension
• Arm or hand fatigue, tingling, or heaviness
• Mid-back or low-back discomfort
• Hip tightness or asymmetry
• Knee fatigue or discomfort during standing, walking, or stairs
• A general feeling of effort when standing or sitting upright
Why this matters: forward head posture increases the mechanical demand on muscles of the neck, shoulders, trunk, and hips. When the trunk shifts forward, the hips and glutes often lose efficiency, which can shift more load into the knees and lower body. In research and clinical observation, this increased demand is often associated with tension, fatigue, and discomfort in areas that don’t always seem “posture-related.”
Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll share a couple of our favorite supportive movement strategies to help improve head–shoulder stacking and overall alignment.