A recent study showed that almost 80% of the population between the ages 18 and 44 claim they carry their cell phones for over 90% of their waking day. The stress of constantly looking down at a phone leads to a host of problems stemming from what doctors in professional journals diagnose as Text Neck.
Research shows that the head weighs approximately 12 pounds when resting properly on the neck. Any forward flexion of the cervical spine adds weight to the neck at varying degrees. Every fifteen degrees of forward neck flexion adds between nine and fifteen pounds of pressure onto the spine. The normal forward flexion present when looking down at a phone increases head weight on the neck and spine by sixty pounds.
According to a 2017 study titled “Text Neck” published in the Spine Journal, spine surgeons have noted a significant rise in the number of patients complaining of neck and upper back pain. Many of these complaints come from children and young people who experience frequent neck pain, shoulder pain, and headaches. Hundreds and thousands of hours spent looking down at electronic devices creates abnormal neck curve alignment and disc herniations.
A study of over 7000 young adults between the ages of 20 an-d 24 showed persistent neck and upper back pain associated with time spent text messaging. Accelerated neck and mid-back spinal degeneration becomes a likely side effect of the forward head flexion often experienced through texting. The increase in disc pressure during flexion contributes to disc degeneration and poor spinal health.
Chiropractic remains one of the most important and effective interventions to minimize and reverse the negative effects of texting. Research clearly proves a connection between text messaging and adverse conditions in the neck and shoulders. Far more extensive research over the last 120 years proves a major connection between overall spinal health and a person’s quality of life. The spine’s intimate relationship with the central nervous system directly links optimal function and well-being to the status of the spine. The nervous system becomes imbalanced whenever spinal position or mobility becomes altered or misaligned. The resulting host of unwelcome conditions and symptoms includes: problems with immunity, digestion, attention, concentration, energy, breathing, headaches and even heart problems.
Chiropractors detect and correct spinal misalignments to remove stress from the nervous system and allow the spine and body to function like it should.
5 Simple Strategies to Prevent or Minimize the Effects of “Text Neck”
1) Hold cell phones (and all electronic devices) at eye level as much as possible.
2) Text with two hands to create more symmetry and minimize spinal imbalances.
3) Take frequent, long breaks from electronic devices throughout the day.
4) 20 second stretch – Pull your arms and shoulders back while tilting your head up to look up at the ceiling or sky. Do the 20-second stretch at least once every hour
5) Regular wellness visits to the Chiropractor
Electronics aid in work, play, recreation, and communication. The body remains the most important device at everyone’s disposal. Ensure the body operates at optimal function levels by keeping the spine and nervous system in peak performance with regular trips to the Chiropractor.