The advent of technology has brought with it ease and convenience to do tasks faster and more efficiently. Apart from this, it has also made communication with peers easier. With mobile phones, desktop computers, tablets, and laptops, the exchange of information has come a long way since snail mail.
Although not a lot of people realize it, technology has adverse effects on our wellbeing. For instance, prolonged exposure to the blue light from gadgets can harm our eyesight. Likewise, using gadgets late at night can disrupt our circadian rhythm or sleep cycle. However, there’s more to mobile phones than just giving us eye-sight problems and messing up our sleep schedule; according to chiropractors, it can also cause bad posture.
Numbers Say It All
What is the likelihood of people reading this on their mobile phones right now? Not so surprisingly, studies show that almost 85 percent of adults in the US read their news on a mobile device. That means 85 percent of US adults are also susceptible to the phenomenon called the “text-neck”. If considered on a global scale, there are 3.5 billion smartphone users today. That is 45.12 percent of the world’s population. These numbers are a testament to how the text neck is becoming a pandemic. But what exactly is a text neck and what are its implications on our well being? Let’s take a look.
A Contemporary Spine Ailment
Although the term coined is “text” neck, the muscular pain due to the constant stress in the neck caused by a prolonged and static downward bent can also be associated with other smartphone-related activities. Whether you are setting up a meeting with a client, shopping for clothes online, booking a car ride, communicating with a loved one, or watching videos online, the likelihood of a person acquiring a text-neck has risen tenfold.
The weight of an individual’s head corresponds to the amount of strain and stress placed on the neck. The human neck is biologically designed to support the weight of the head, particularly in a neutral position. When the neck is bent downward in an angle, it puts extra pressure on the neck muscles. While the muscles can still withstand the stress for short bouts of time, it cannot go on for an extended period. This is what causes extreme pain and discomfort.
Treatment
Breaking the habit of constant smartphone usage is a huge step towards treating text neck. This can be done by limiting usage to only absolutely important tasks. It is also recommended to change to a better posture when using your mobile device. In addition, stretching and doing desk exercises that are specifically designed to address the neck, shoulders, and chest muscles are excellent ways of reversing the effects of text neck.
In severe, unaddressed cases, a text neck can lead to hunched shoulders and a forward-head posture otherwise known as an anterior head syndrome. Visiting a chiropractor in such cases is the best way to leverage your treatment as they can help adjust your spine by properly aligning your neck to its original position.
A chiropractor can also provide an individual with exercises that can be done during work or at home. This can aid in restoring the mobility of your neck, correcting your posture, and eliminating neck pain caused by text neck.
If you wish to learn more about the amazing benefits of chiropractic care on addressing neck and posture problems, get in touch with us today.
