Today’s reliance on technology has severely impacted our posture. Smartphones, computers, and tablets are all within reach, drawing us back towards unhealthy habits as we feed our addiction to watching videos, surfing the web, or leading a sedentary lifestyle. While technology has revolutionized how we communicate and has significantly improved modern-day livelihood, it is crucial that we err on the side of caution, as too much time spent on our smart devices can cause damage to our musculoskeletal systems over time.
Too much time spent hunched over or looking down at our smartphones or tablets has caused severe neck pain and posture abnormalities in today’s generation of adults and children. This phenomenon, known as “Text Neck,” has been a topic of interest amongst chiropractors as they work toward a solution for relieving neck pain while implementing proper posture strategies and reinforcing healthy habits for pain prevention.
Here, we will look closer at how chiropractors are battling tech neck in their clinics and what steps you can take to prevent cervical damage.
Technological Effects on The Cervical Spine
On average, humans spend about two to four hours hunched over on their smart devices daily as they read emails, send texts, or browse social media sites. For those who work in office settings requiring laptop computers, the time spent hunched over can add additional time spent in poor postural positions. These conditions, combined with the weight of the human head, can have severe implications over time.
The average human head weighs about 12 pounds. As the neck bends forward, the weight of your head increases with each degree of curve angle. In a proper sitting position, your head and spine sit at a balanced twelve pounds. However, when in a hunched position, your head weighs more and can put as much as 60 pounds of stress on your cervical spine.
Prolonged sitting in positions that cause extra strain on the neck can lead to permanent damage or pain if not treated adequately. Hunching over our devices causes muscles in the neck to work overtime to support the weight of our heads. When muscles are overworked, they can cause injuries such as tension, ligament damage, or spinal disc issues, making treatment more complicated.
Addressing Text Neck Symptoms With A Qualified Chiropractor
Chiropractic care offers a natural and effective approach to managing and preventing text neck. With more younger people experiencing neck pain due to smart device usage, chiropractors encourage early intervention to treat and prevent long-term damage in youth’s growing bones. As experts in musculoskeletal health, chiropractors are trained to identify and correct instances of spinal misalignment and work with patients for pain resolution and long-term success. Some of the ways chiropractors achieve this are through:
Spinal Alignments: Chiropractors make subtle adjustments to the spine to relieve compression and restore proper alignment using gentle, hands-on techniques. These slight adjustments help to reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, and alleviate pain.
Manual Therapy and Traction: Various manual techniques such as massage, soft tissue mobilization, and traction can relax tight muscles and improve range of motion. Traction techniques apply controlled force to certain spine areas to relieve pressure, reduce pain, and restore proper alignment and muscle memory of spinal components.
Posture Correction: Using evaluative techniques such as spine angle measurements and X-ray diagnostics, chiropractors can educate patients on proper posture and offer exercises to strengthen the back and neck muscles to maintain spinal alignment and stability.
Lifestyle Advice: If appropriate, chiropractors can offer advice such as taking frequent breaks from smart devices, exercising regularly, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits to prevent future issues or pain from resurfacing.
Depending on the severity of your text neck condition, chiropractors can employ various strategies and tailored treatment plans to restore proper alignment and healthy habits for years to come. Every spine is different, so personalized care plans ensure that chiropractors can address the pain you are experiencing and get to the root of the problem.
Tips for Preventing Future Cases of Text Neck
Prevention is the first step in restoring or maintaining your spinal health. Whether you currently exhibit symptoms of text neck or are seeking preventative measures, getting ahead of your cervical health minimizes further deterioration and promotes healthy change for a pain-free future. A few ways that you can maintain proper posture at home are:
Maintaining Proper Posture: When using technology, remember to sit up straight. Your spine should be upright, with relaxed shoulders and feet flat on the floor. Doing so will ensure proper alignment and prevent bad habits such as slouching, leaning, or hunching.
Taking Frequent Technology Breaks: While technology use can often be an inevitable part of everyday life, taking frequent 20-30 minute breaks away from your devices allows you to refresh, stretch your neck and spine, and decompress. Walking or engaging in movement can help relieve tension and promote blood flow.
Repositioning Your Devices: Elevate your devices to eye level to reduce hunching over and stress on your neck during technology use. This allows you to lift your head and take some of the weight and pressure off of your cervical spine.
Using Ergonomic Tools: Invest in ergonomic tools such as chair cushions, keyboards, or laptop stands to assist with proper posture. Even tools that don’t directly affect the cervical spine have the potential to affect overall posture and comfort, ensuring healthy spinal habits.
Correct Tech Neck With Denver Integrated Spine Center
By understanding the causes and consequences of tech neck and taking appropriate measures for proper posture and care, you can take the first step towards a pain-free and overall improved quality of life. Chiropractic care offers multiple avenues for achieving proper posture, each with its own benefits to fit your lifestyle and needs.
Denver Integrated Spine Center offers personalized, full-service chiropractic care to patients of all ages. Offering innovative and high-quality solutions for pain management and spinal realignment, the experts at Denver Integrated Spine Center provide patients with the best treatments, techniques, and overall service for long-term results. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call us today at (303) 758-9000.