Abstract
M.Tech.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether adjusting the relevant
restricted segments of the cervical spine is effective in successfully reducing an anterior
head carriage posture.
Method: Thirty participants underwent a general screening to determine whether they
have an anterior head carriage posture. The general screening was done by using a
plumb line that hung from a roof. If the plumb line revealed that the external auditory
meatus was anterior to the acromioclavicular joint, the participant was suitable for this
study. Each participant underwent an X-ray screening session in order to measure the
degree of the cervical lordosis. This was done by determining the angle of cervical curve,
measured on a lateral cervical X-ray. Each participant received chiropractic spinal adjustive
therapy to the restricted cervical facet joints. After the eight week trial, the participants
underwent a second X-ray screening session in order to re-measure the degree of cervical
lordosis.
Results: The results obtained were statistically significant with p=0.016 (p<0.05). The
mean value of the cervical lordosis for the group as a whole showed a decrease in the
cervical lordosis from 50.90 degrees before treatment to 48.67° after treatment. Evident
from these results the anterior head carriage was reduced by 2.23° for the group as a
whole.
Conclusion: From this research design, it can be deduced that Chiropractic spinal
adjustive therapy to the relevant restricted segments can have a beneficial effect in
reducing an anterior head carriage posture. As there was no control group, it is not
possible to rule out the placebo effect.