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People who spend hours a day looking at computers, tablets, and cell phones while seated risk their spinal health. Prolonged use of digital devices can lead to tech neck—a type of neck pain caused by looking downward. Here are some tips to help you prevent the unwanted side effects of tech neck. 

Do:

Incorporate routine breaks.

Staring at a computer for countless hours can take a toll on your neck—especially if you don’t take breaks. Give yourself a chance to refresh by setting a timer to get up every 30 minutes. Walk around a bit to get your blood flowing, and look into the distance. Movement minimizes the chances for knots and stiffness to develop.

Keep all devices at eye level.

neck painThe position of your monitor or screen affects the amount of strain on your neck. If it’s too low, it will force you to tilt your head down to see clearly. Hunched-over positions cause stiffness and neck pain. Keep your devices at eye level to avoid muscle tension. 

Don’t:

Forget to drink water.

Spinal disks, which cushion the bones in your neck and back, require hydration to stay lubricated. To reduce neck pain, drink at least eight glasses of water per day.

Remain stationary.

Along with taking breaks throughout the day, schedule two to three minutes every hour to stretch. You can perform simple stretches at your desk to keep neck muscles and joints limber.  Slowly rotating your head in full circles, standing and lifting your arms above your head, and gently twisting your body from side to side will help reduce incidences of tech neck.

 

If you’re struggling with the side effects of tech neck, turn to the professionals at Wellspring Family Chiropractic in Cookeville, TN. Their knowledgeable staff offers a broad range of chiropractic services to diagnose and treat neck pain. Visit them online to learn more about the conditions they treat, and call (931) 528-5284 to schedule an appointment today.

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