Is Your Mobile Hurting Your Health? What is Text Neck and Can Chiropractic Care Help?
 "Is Your Mobile Hurting Your Health? What is Text Neck and Can Chiropractic Care Help?")
Have you ever noticed a nagging pain in your neck after a long session of scrolling through your smartphone or tablet? If so, you're not alone. "Text Neck" is becoming increasingly common in today's digital age, affecting people of all ages—from digital native teens to smartphone-savvy seniors. Let’s take a closer look at this modern ailment, how it impacts your health, and how chiropractic care might just be your solution.
Understanding Text Neck: More Than Just a Pain in the Neck
"Text Neck" or “Tech Neck” refers to the repetitive stress injury caused by prolonged forward-head posture while looking down at mobile devices.
Think about it:
- We hunch over our phones while commuting or walking
- We crane our necks to watch videos in bed
- We spend hours scrolling through social media slouched on the sofa, completely unaware of our posture
All of this contributes to the development of text neck and the associated pain and discomfort.
Did you know?
The average adult head weighs between 10 to 12 pounds, but when tilted forward, the pressure on your spine dramatically increases. In fact, tilting your head just 15 degrees forward increases pressure to 27 pounds, and at a full 60 degrees - a common angle when texting - that weight jumps to a staggering 60 pounds!
This extra strain doesn't just cause neck pain—it can lead to a variety of other health problems, including:
- Chronic headaches
- Shoulder pain and stiffness
- Upper back tension
- Reduced mobility in your neck and shoulders
Over time, these issues can seriously affect your quality of life, limiting daily activities and impacting your overall health.
How Mobile Devices are Harming Our Bodies
With mobile devices deeply integrated into our daily lives, it's nearly impossible to completely avoid their use. However, constant poor posture and extended periods of device usage are key contributors to text neck. Even if you don't initially feel discomfort, the strain accumulates, increasing your risk of chronic pain or injury.
Moreover, prolonged poor posture can lead to long-term structural issues. Your spine may gradually lose its natural curvature, potentially causing degenerative disc disease, spinal misalignment, and nerve damage. It's critical to recognize these risks early, so you can take steps to protect your spine.
Why Chiropractic Care Might Be Your Best Defense
Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who specialize in spinal alignment, aiming to relieve pain and restore proper posture and function. Here's how chiropractic treatment may specifically help you combat text neck:
Correcting Spinal Misalignment
Chiropractic adjustments may realign the vertebrae in your neck and back, alleviating immediate pain and restoring natural spinal curvature. This not only reduces stress on your spine but may significantly decrease headaches and muscle tension associated with text neck.
Improving Posture
Beyond immediate pain relief, chiropractors provide exercises, stretches, and posture-correction techniques tailored to your specific needs. Regular chiropractic visits help maintain healthy posture, preventing future issues related to mobile device use.
Enhancing Mobility and Flexibility
Chiropractic treatments involve gentle spinal manipulations designed to restore mobility to stiff joints and muscles. This increased flexibility may help improve the range of motion, making daily activities easier and pain-free.
Preventing Text Neck: Easy Lifestyle Changes
In addition to chiropractic care, there are several simple lifestyle adjustments you can make to help prevent text neck:
- Hold your phone at eye level: Rather than looking down, try to keep your device at eye level to reduce strain.
- Take regular breaks: Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Pause to stretch and move your neck, shoulders, and back.
- Strengthen your neck and back muscles: Incorporate regular stretching and strengthening exercises into your daily routine.
- Improve ergonomics: Use ergonomic chairs and desks, especially if you work long hours at a computer.
Is Chiropractic Care Right for You?
If you're experiencing symptoms associated with text neck, don’t just accept discomfort as a normal part of digital life. Chiropractic care is often covered by health insurance, making it an accessible solution for many individuals. Checking your coverage is easy, and your chiropractor's office can often assist you in understanding your benefits.
By seeking chiropractic treatment early, you may significantly reduce the risk of long-term damage and improve your overall wellness. It's a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free approach to treating pain and preventing further injury.
Better Health May Be for You
Take Action Now—Your Spine Will Thank You!
Don’t wait until your pain becomes chronic or debilitating. Reach out to Dr. Lanoue today and find out how chiropractic care may help you alleviate the symptoms of text neck and regain a healthier, pain-free lifestyle.
Please contact us today to schedule your appointment.
Better Health may be for you: Call Dr. Lanoue
References
Hansraj, K. K. (2014).
Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head. Surgical Technology International, 25, 277-279; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25393825/
Bryans, R., Decina, P., Descarreaux, M., et al. (2014).
Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with neck pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 37(1), 42-63.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24262386/
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). (2022).
Working in a Sitting Position - Good Body Position.
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/sitting/sitting_position.html
 "Dr. Serge Lanoue")
Author:Dr. Serge Lanoue| Tags:chiropractic treatmentchiropractic adjustmentBack Painchiropractic careNeck pain |
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