Do You Have Text Neck?

When you hear your phone chime with a notification, you pick it up and look at a friend’s text. You write a response and then pop over to Facebook to update your status. Afterward, you check your email and reply to your client’s query really fast. Your phone alerts you to how many followers liked your latest tweet when you feel a sharp pain in your shoulders and neck. This neck pain, also called text neck, can do more than cause you discomfort—in this blog post, you’ll learn more about text neck, what it can do, and how to prevent and treat it with your chiropractor.

What is text neck?

The easy definition of text neck is the pain that is caused from looking down on a phone, tablet, or wireless device for prolonged periods of time. The most prevalent symptoms of text neck include the following:

• Pain or muscles spasms in the upper back.
• Shoulder pain and tightness.
• Pain or other neurological symptoms radiating down the arm and hand.

Just under 80 percent adults age 18 to 44 have their cell phones with them most of the time with just two hours every day away from the screen. If you experience any of these, especially toward the end of the day, your attention to your cell phone could be to blame.

Why is text neck dangerous?

Neck pain isn’t new. In the past, people could get neck pain from looking down to read books, but the problem with text neck is that people are on their phones so frequently and for so long that this pain is becoming more and more common. This position can also cause damage to the cervical nerve and lead to chronic problems, including the potential for early onset arthritis.

How can text neck be prevented and treated?

The best way to deal with text neck is to prevent it to begin with. Take frequent breaks from your wireless devices throughout the day, preferably about every 20 to 30 minutes for a quick walk. Also, try to hold your phone at eye level as much as possible. If you already suffer from text neck, make sure that you target you core muscles in your daily exercise routine. These muscles help support and stabilize the upper body. In addition, it is a good idea to keep your neck muscles strong and flexible with the help of a health professional.

Although technology and cell phones are an inevitable part of our modern world, you don’t have to experience text neck. By taking these precautions and small changes in your habits, you can avoid this pain that afflicts so many people these days. If you need help overcoming text neck, contact your chiropractor. They can give you care that will help loosen and strengthen the necessary muscles and give you personalized advice.

About Wills Chiropractic

Dr. Chad Wills has been practicing in Naples, FL, since 2000. In his continuing education, he has earned certification in whiplash injury biomechanics and brain traumatology by the Spine Research Institute. In his practice, he can treat patients with text neck and help them form healthier habits to help them avoid this pain. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wills, you can call (239) 331-6060 or click here.