Association Between Forward Head, Rounded Shoulders, and Increased Thoracic Kyphosis: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this review was to explore the association between forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis.

Methods: The PubMed, ERIC, and Cochrane databases were searched using the key words posture, head, shoulder, forward scapular posture, and thoracic kyphosis through December 2016.

Results: Our initial search yielded 6840 research studies, 6769 of which were excluded because they either were duplicates or did not satisfy the inclusion criteria. After the abstracts of the remaining studies were read, 15 were assessed for eligibility, and only 4 papers were included in the present review. Cervical lordosis values were found to be significantly associated with thoracic kyphosis values. Also, there were significant correlations between rounded shoulders and increased thoracic kyphosis.

Conclusion: Forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and increased thoracic kyphosis can exist alone or in any combination.

Keywords: Kyphosis; Posture; Shoulder.

Figures

Fig 1

Normal posture and line of gravity.

Fig 2

Forward head posture. Note that d is the distance between the line of gravity and the external auditory meatus.

Fig 3

Forward shoulder posture. Note that b is the distance between the line of gravity and the acromion.

Fig 4

Increased kyphosis. Note that t is the distance between the line of gravity and thoracic spine.

Fig 5

Search strategy.