Health and wellness August 1, 2018 By
During my first visit to the chiropractor, I was sitting in the waiting room and the image below came across the screen. It was interesting as I was checking emails on my cell phone with my head/neck positioned around the 45-60 degree angle.
All I could hear in the back of my mind was my 11th grade calculus teacher saying, “sit up straight, you will learn better." In other words, fix (straighten) your posture and pay attention!
Have you ever had neck pain? Or tension in your shoulders? If so, it might possibly be caused by "tech neck" (originally termed text neck), defined by physical therapists and chiropractors as the strain of spending so much time hunched over phones, tablets and computers for increasing amounts of time.
According to a 2015 research study done by Dr. Kenneth Hansraj, “an adults head weighs 10 to 12 pounds in the neutral position. As the head tilts forward the forces seen by the neck surges to 27 pounds at 15 degrees, 40 pounds at 30 degrees, 49 pounds at 45 degrees and 60 pounds at 60 degrees.” Meaning the weight endured by the spine dramatically increases when flexing the head forward at varying degrees; or the posture we adopt as we stare at our electronic devices increases the stress on the neck. This can cause excessive wear and tear that may eventually require an operation to correct it, according the Hansraj.
"Tech neck" normally causes neck pain, tightness and/or soreness. Over time, this type of posture can contribute to developing a rounded upper back, which can cause shoulder and upper back stiffness. In conjunction with a sedentary lifestyle, tech neck or extended periods of time looking down at our electronic device(s) can lead to serious consequences such as:
- Sharp upper back pain
- Shoulder pain resulting in muscle spasm
- Pinched or radiating nerve pain
- Arm pain and numbness
According to Linda Vernon Scholl, a physical therapist at the University of Utah’s Orthopedic Center, tech neck is an epidemic that is affecting all generations and is becoming an increasing problem with younger people as they are seeking treatment for neck and back pain. Scholl states that there are strengthening exercises for the upper back, chest, shoulder and neck can help correct poor posture and avoid wreaking havoc on the back and neck. They include:
- Proper spinal alignment by keeping your ears over your shoulders, your shoulders over your hips and your hips over your ankles;
- Keep your head up and look down at your electronic device with your eyes. If needed, raise your arms up to bring the phone or tablet closer to eye level.
- While watching TV or sitting at a laptop, sit up straight and squeeze your shoulder blades together to strengthen the upper back.
- Find a doorway and put your arms on either side of it at a comfortable level. Lean into it to stretch your chest. Hold that for about 30 seconds.
- Try to limit your electronic device usage to a couple of hours a day.
- Wenslow, Ben, (2018, May 1), Sit Up Straight
- All American Healthcare, (2015, March 26), Mobile Devices Wrecking Spines
- Steelcase.com, (2013, March 12), New Postures Driven by Mobile Technology
