Did you know that using your smart phone could be hurting your neck? At Family Chiropractic & Wellness, we call it “Text Neck,” which we define as pain sustained from looking down at a wireless device for too long.
The forward head posture used to look at a smart phone can lead to muscle strain, disc herniations, and pinched nerves. This is because of the pressure added to the spine.
The average human head weighs about 10 pounds. When your ears are over your shoulders, the pressure on your spine doubles. When looking at your smart phone, it feels like your neck is supporting 20 to 30 pounds. This extra strain can pull your spine out of alignment.
Symptoms associated with “Text Neck” can include:
- chronic headaches
- upper back pain
- shoulder pain
- neck pain
While “Text Neck” is becoming very common in our culture, there are ways to prevent the pain.
- Take breaks: Whether you are at work, or just enjoying time on your smart phone or tablet, take a break about every 20 minutes. Stand up, roll your shoulders and neck and go for a short walk to improve blood flow.
- Ergonomics: When seated, keep your feet flat on the ground. Roll your shoulders back and keep your ears directly over your shoulders. Do you not tilt forward to look at your device. If possible, keep your device at eye level.
If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of “Text Neck,” please call Family Chiropractic & Wellness today for an appointment at 812-373-3376.
