If you regularly use a smartphone or computer, you have most likely experienced tech or text neck. This is when you hunch over the screen, leading to neck pain and tightness in the area. Most of the time, tech users do not realize they are leaning so far over their devices. This posture puts a lot of stress on the neck, especially over long periods. Below is a brief guide to this type of pain and what you can do to alleviate the symptoms.

Causes & Effects of Tech Neck

The neck is a strong part of the body, its muscles and tendons are meant to support the head and keep it upright. However, when people bend over phones or computers, the weight of the head puts immense pressure and tension on the neck and upper back. At a 45-degree angle, the head puts about 50 lbs. of pressure on the neck. Looking down causes muscles to contract, which provides support for the head and neck. The more you hunch, the more effort the muscles exert to hold the head up. Over time, this strains the weakening and stretching some while shortening and tightening others. This can lead to neck and shoulder pain, as well as soreness. Common Sense Census wrote an article about children ages Zero to Eight and their amount of screen time used over a years’ time. The article states that in 2017, children under the age of Eight spend an average of 2:19 Hours a day with screen media. In 2013, the average was 1:55 Hours. Tweens were recorded at spending 4:36 Hours a day using screen media while the Teens are spending 6:40 Hours a day on average.

How to Alleviate Symptoms

Last year alone, Americans use digital media for an average of 5 hours and 53 minutes . This has lead to an increase in stiff shoulder joints, headaches, and neck spasms. To help with text neck, move more — especially if your job is mostly sedentary. Every 15 to 30 minutes, walk around to get the blood circulating and stretch your neck. Also, get a chair with lumbar support to help you lean back more while working at the computer. Another tip to help alleviate pain is to raise the computer screen to where the middle of the screen is at eye level or slightly above eye level.  This will also help take the strain off the neck muscles.

How a Chiropractor Can Help

A chiropractor can help relieve the symptoms that arise from tech/text neck. They will provide adjustments to help with your posture and ensure the spine, neck, and head are all properly aligned. Some Chiropractors will give stretches and exercises for neck pain and address trying to regain the loss of cervical curvature by text neck.  Chiropractic treatment can improve tech/text neck and lower the amount of neck pain and increase the range of motion in your neck.

Are you experiencing tech neck or other musculoskeletal issues? Contact the chiropractors at Heartland Family Chiropractic, PLLC, in Elizabethtown, KY. For almost 18 years, they’ve helped with headaches as well as back and neck pain. Dr. Adam T. Fulkerson will take the time to assess your discomfort and find the best treatment plan. To learn more about his chiropractic care, call (270) 234-8880 or visit the website.