The huge rise in the popularity of smartphones over the past decade has seen a corresponding rise of a new phenomenon unique to our generation: tech neck. Linked to our excessive use of smartphones and similar technology (Australians spend on average 5.5 hours a day craned over their phones), tech neck can be a real problem for both those who have pre-existing neck and back pain, and for those who are experiencing it for the first time.
Here’s how tech is wrecking your neck, and how you can go above improving it.
What Is Tech Neck?
Tech neck is a relatively new term used to describe the posture and neck pain that can result from prolonged use of technology devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops in both a sitting and standing position. The term refers to the forward-leaning posture that people often fall into when they’re using their smartphone or similar, which can put strain on the neck and shoulders, since the lower your head, the harder your muscles need to work. Considering the average adult human head weighs about 5kg, this is quite a lot of strain to be constantly putting on one area of our bodies, and can lead to neck pain, stiffness, and even long-term damage to the neck and spine.
Symptoms Of Tech Neck
If you spend an extended amount of time on your mobile phone or sitting at a desk with your laptop, you may begin to experience the symptoms of tech neck. These symptoms can include a stiff neck, more frequent headaches, neck spasms, and a pain between your shoulder blades. You may also find it harder than usual to maintain good posture if you’ve been sitting leaning over your phone scrolling through Instagram or Facebook all morning.
More severe symptoms of tech neck can include numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels down to your arms. This can indicate that a nerve has been pinched.
How To Avoid Tech Neck
There are a number of ways to avoid tech neck. All are very simple, and can include getting up and moving every 15 to 30 minutes. This is especially important if you work a sedentary job, as this will help with blood circulation and will reset your neck into a different position. There’s an added bonus to this: regular movement is just good for your entire body.
Another way to avoid tech neck is to adjust the angle at which you are viewing your device. Keeping your device at eye level or slightly below eye level means that you won’t have to tilt your head down to view it. You can purchase desk attachments that allow you to raise up your laptop if you have a low desk, for instance.
A third way to avoid tech neck is to ensure your office chair has good lumbar support, and can allow for you to recline back whenever you feel the need. This counter movement against your neck can help to avoid it from feeling stiff by relaxing your muscles.
Can A Chiropractor Treat Tech Neck?
Since tech neck is basically a form of neck pain caused by poor posture, the answer is yes. Chiropractors have a wide variety of techniques they can use to help with neck pain and stretches and posture tips to help prevent tech neck. We see patients presenting at Dynamic Chiropractic with different forms of neck pain from too much screen time and can find solutions for them.
If you are experiencing tech neck, the chiropractors at Dynamic Chiropractic would love to help. Contact our friendly team today and book an appointment, and we’ll work with you to find a personal treatment plan just for you.
