Don't Let 'Text Neck' Become a Habit

Text Neck - It's a modern-day affliction caused by, you guessed it, too much time spent with your smart phone.

It is painful; it's also not a smart way to interact with modern technology. What can you do? Be aware of your posture. The health of your spine ultimately affects total well-being. Any kind of spinal misalignment can result in pinched nerves, muscle strain, herniated discs and other issues. But text neck is avoidable.

Consider this: The head's weight, about 10-12 pounds for an average person, is meant to be borne by the cervical spine in a close-to-upright position. But bending forward even 15 degrees as you read the screen and type messages can increase the relative pressure on the small bones of the upper spine by more twice the norm. Bending your neck between 45-60 degrees increases the head's relative weight and can be equal to a burden of about 60 pounds at the top of the spine. Maintaining that "hunched" position for long periods of time hurts; sometime it hurts a lot, causing severe pain and lasting damage.

Learn Proper "Netiquette"

Average Americans spend two to four hours a day with a smart phone. Teenagers even more. That amounts to a lot of neck bending. It's no wonder neck pain, backaches, headaches and sore muscles are techie afflictions. It is definitely not "all in their head," but learning to keep your head up is good advice.

Move your eyes rather than bending your head, adjust positions frequently, and learn simple neck exercises, moving your head properly and often. Be aware of your posture not only while you stand or walk, but also when you sit at a desk or text your friends.  You can avoid the persistent soreness, shoulder aches and neck pain of text neck. It's no laughing matter: Letting the "hunched" posture become habitual can lead to reduced lung capacity and neurological issues, as well as more serious spinal conditions, heart disease and depression.

Our chiropractor will help you with proper posture. Do you have a concern? Call today for an appointment.