Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences | Vol. 5 | Issue 1 | January-March | 2018 Page | 60 Photogrammetry is an objective technique to measure posture of different body parts and has also demonstrated good validity for analysis of craniovertebral posture. This simple technique can be used to diagnose forward head posture. Different studies have different measurement angles such as craniovertebral angle, cervical inclination angle, head tilt angle, and cranial-rotational angle to measure forward head posture. Out of all angles used, craniovertebral angle is considered to be the most common angle used for evaluated forward head posture as it examines head status in relation to seventh cervical vertebrae (C7). [1] Prolonged or repetitive forward head flexion causes constant isometric contraction of the cervical extensors to counteract the excessive external flexion moment and to maintain the head in forward position. This leads to muscle imbalances which causes postural impairments; if prolonged, they may cause chronic forward head posture. [5] There is a change in the length and the reduction in strength of Deep Cervical Flexors and tightness of Suboccipitals muscles. Due to this sustained posture, there is an injury to the soft tissues, reduced range of motion as well as diffused pain in the neck, scapular, and head pains. [6] Forward head posture is also associated with increased thoracic kyphosis, INTRODUCTION In modernized time, extended use of mobile phone and computers has increased anterior weight bearing of cervical spine leading to a variety of musculoskeletal disorders related to the neck by changing the biomechanical stress of cervical spine. [1] Forward head posture is nowadays most common postural problems. [2] Head when positioned anterior to trunk, increasing the cervical convexity with the apex of lordotic cervical curve considering the distance from Line of Gravity in optimal posture is known to be forward head posture. [3] Forward head posture is defined as “any alignment in which the external auditory meatus is positioned anteriorly to the plumb line through the shoulder joint.” Forward head posture is generally recognized types of poor head posture in sagittal plane. [1] Head maintained forwardly for long periods of time causes musculoskeletal disorders leading to reduced lordosis of lower cerival, in parallelism with kyphosis of upper thoracic vertebrae. [4] Forward head posture is one of the reasons that changes biomechanical stress around the cervical spine leading to cervical pain, headache, temporomandibular, and muscular dysfunctions. ABSTRACT Background: Forward head posture also known as scholar’s neck is nowadays considered to be most common musculoskeletal postural imbalance causing protrusion of head anterior to trunk. It is still unclear how age-related habitual changes such as forward head posture having an influence on thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in normal healthy adults. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of forward head posture in association with spinal curvatures in healthy subjects. In this study, we used craniovertebral angle, cranial-rotational angle, and flexicurve meter. Materials and Methods: Hundred and eight adults (24.98 ± 5.45) participated in the study, out of which 60.15% were males and 49.07% were females. The subjects were assessed for forward head posture using the digital method lateral-side photograph of each subject; for thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis flexicurve method was used. Result: There was decreased kyphotic index with lesser craniovertebral angle, also, statistically thoracic kyphosis was extremely significant (P = < 0.0001) in normal adults. As well as the correlation between craniovertebral angle, cranial-rotational angle, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis had shown extreme significance (P = < 0.0001) in normal adults, although the correlation between forward head posture and kyphosis was found to be insignificant with P = 0.067. Conclusion: Thus, there is no significant correlation between forward head posture, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis in normal adults aged 18–35 years. Key words: Flexicurve, forward head posture, lumbar lordosis, photographic method, thoracic kyphosis The effect of forward head posture on spinal curvatures in healthy subjects Drashti Talati 1 *, G. Varadhrajulu 2 , Mandar Malwade 3 1 Department of Physiotherapy, Krishna College of Physiotherapy, KIMS “Deemed to be” University, Karad, Maharashtra, India, 2 Department of Neurosciences, Krishna College of Physiotherapy, KIMS “Deemed to be” University, Karad, Maharashtra, India, 3 Department of Pediatrics, Krishna College of Physiotherapy, KIMS “Deemed to be” University, Karad, Maharashtra, India *Address for correspondence: Drashti Talati, Intern, Krishna College of Physiotherapy, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed to be University, Karad - 415 110, Maharashtra, India. Phone: +91-7745036177. E-mail: drashti.talati511@gmail.com Received: 05-11-2017, Revised: 30-11-2017, Accepted: 31-01-2018 ORIGINAL ARTICLE e-ISSN: 2349-0659 p-ISSN: 2350-0964 doi: 10.21276/apjhs.2018.5.1.13