Even if you’ve not yet heard the phrase, ‘Text Neck,’ you can probably guess what it is. Because, yes – Text Neck Syndrome is, in fact, a thing: it refers to a neck injury caused by keeping one’s head bent in a forward position for extended periods of time.
An adult’s head weighs on average 10 lbs. The further your head is tilted forward the more pressure is placed on your spine, as you can see in the image below:
To put this in perspective, the force on your neck and upper back by tilting your head forward at a 60-degree angle is the equivalent of placing 6 gallons of milk on the back of your head. The result?
- Sharp pain in your neck and shoulders.
- Stiffness and tightness in your neck and shoulders, which leads to decreased range of motion.
- Nerve pain, which leads to tingling and numbness in your arms/hands.
- Frequent headaches.
- Bad posture.
What can you do about this? The obvious answer is, of course, to spend less time scrolling. Put your phone away for periods of time. You can also regularly arch your neck and upper back, strengthen your core muscles, and increase your neck flexibility.
But if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms chiropractic care will help you feel better and move better. Some treatment options our chiropractors provide include Active Release Technique, Low Level Laser Therapy, and Shockwave Therapy. Give us a call – we’ll be glad to answer your questions and schedule an appointment.
