Keeping up with friends and family is simpler than ever with social media. The tradeoff is that your daily screen time may be 1, 2, 3 hours or more. And to be honest, many of those hours online are spent in an awkward “forward head posture” that we have begun to call “tech neck.” This may result in neck pain, headaches, spinal disc issues, and even pinched nerves.
Why it Matters:
Every day we see people, young and old, who are experiencing the symptoms associated with tech neck. By making a plan of care that may include stretching, adjustments if required, and postural exercises; we have been able to help our clients overcome these aches and pains without giving up their cell phones and tablets.
- Looking down at your phone, tablet, or computer for long periods of time can cause muscle strains and neck pain which is now known as tech neck.
- Researchers have discovered the angle of your head when text messaging places a large amount of stress on your neck and spine.
- Taking short breaks to stretch at least every 30 minutes helps your body feel better by improving your posture and resetting your balance.
Next Steps:
Next time you are on the phone, stop for a moment and see if your head is creeping forward. If your chin is tucked down and your ears are in front of your shoulders, then you are in the forward head posture position we call tech neck. It’s time to take a break, stretch, and reset. If you are experiencing any pain or headaches, then please reach out so we can work with you to create a plan to help you stay connected without suffering from tech neck.
Science Source(s): Head flexion angle while using a smartphone. Ergonomics. 2015 Effects of a Resistance and Stretching Training Program on Forward Head and Protracted Shoulder Posture in Adolescents. JMPT 2017