Do You Have Text Neck?

Text neck is an increasingly common condition we are seeing more often in our clinic.Text neck is the term used to describe the neck pain sustained from looking down at your cell phone, or electronic device for extended periods of time. This posture causes an increase in stress on the muscles of the neck and upper back, which is illustrated in the picture below:

The further forward the head is in front of the body, the more weight and pressure is developed on the neck and upper back muscles.

Text neck is not only associated with electronic devices. Reading with poor posture can also result in the same symptoms.

Speaking of symptoms, here are a few associated with text neck to look out for:

• Upper back pain ranging from a chronic, nagging pain to sharp, severe upper back muscle spasms.
• Shoulder pain and tightness, possibly resulting in painful shoulder muscle spasms.
• If a cervical nerve becomes pinched, pain and possibly neurological symptoms can radiate down your arm and into your hand.

A recent study shows that 79% of the population between the ages 18 and 44 have their cell phones with them almost all the time—with only 2 hours of their waking day spent without their cell phone in hand.

Here are a few simple tips to help prevent text neck:

• Hold your cell phone at eye level as much as possible. The same holds true for all screens. Make sure you don’t have to bend your head forward or look down to view it.
• Take frequent breaks from your phone and laptop throughout the day. For example, set a timer or alarm that reminds you to get up and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes.
• If you work in an office, make sure your screen is set up so that when you look at it you are looking forward, with your head positioned squarely in line with your shoulders and spine.
• Work on developing your core muscles as this will help improve your overall posture and prevent muscle fatigue.

If you or someone you know is suffering from text neck, our clinic can help. We offer a wide range of services including:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Physiotherapy muscle rehabilitation
• Massage therapy
• Laser therapy and more

Call today to book a free consultation!

P: 905-593-1605

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