What Is It & How Does It Affect You?
In modern society, it is quite common to see individuals constantly staring down at their smart phones, tablets or other wireless devices. In fact, the average person spends two to four hours a day on a smart phone! It is also quite common for these individuals to complain about soreness in the Neck, headaches, tightness or stiffness across the shoulders, strains and of course neck pain, among many other related symptoms. This describes a type of injury called ‘text neck syndrome,’ or ‘turtle neck posture.’ This injury is caused by a constant forward head position, not in line with your centre of gravity, which causes increased stress in the cervical (uppermost) spine, or neck.
Fun fact, the average weight of a head is about ten to thirteen pounds! So what does this mean for the smart phone generation? Well, with the head constantly leaning forward, its weight causes the spine to work harder to hold the head up. That is a lot of extra weight on the neck and shoulders!
What Should You Do?
If this sounds relatable, not to worry, there are ways in which to relieve this type of injury, such as, periodic stretches or breaks every thirty to forty five minutes, holding the phone at eye level (look down only with your eyes), practicing good posture and lastly Chiropractic adjusting. The main goal of chiropractic care when it comes to treating neck pain is to correct or reestablish proper movement to the spine and joints, like in the neck and upper back. This helps the body repair and recover. Chiropractic care may also include, corrective rehabilitative stretching and strengthening exercises, postural recommendations, and ergonomic suggestions; all of which may help improve or prevent text neck syndrome.
To discover how chiropractic care can be helpful for you, visit us, The Madison Clinic, located at 4950 Yonge St. North York, or contact us, at 416-222-8235.
References:
Chin, Tan. “Right Posture Can Prevent Text Neck.” AsiaOne, 8 Sept. 2017, www.asiaone.com/health/right-posture-can-prevent-text-neck.
“Neck Pain, ‘Text Neck’, Cedar Chiropractic & Physiotherapy.” Cedar | North Burnaby Physiotherapy Chiropractor Rehab, 29 Apr. 2018, www.cedarhealth.ca/neck-pain-text-neck/.
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