Smartphones nowadays are some of the most versatile and powerful devices anyone can have. These mobile devices combine a lot of functionality and features into a single, handy package, and they are extremely user-friendly due to the popularity of touch screen features. While almost everyone enjoys using smartphones, they can cause some serious muscle pain in the neck, which medical experts have christened as “text neck”.
An article on The Guardian’s website discusses how text neck is caused, and what dangers it could lead to. The report illustrates that text neck is the result of smartphone users constantly dropping their heads to look into their devices’ screens. What begins as a sore neck could lead to head pain, neck pain, arm pain, and even numbness, if the habit of dropping your head continues.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent text neck from developing. Experts suggest altering texting positions in order to reduce discomfort, while others recommend holding your phone 90 degrees in front of you to reduce strain on the neck. If you already feel the effects of text neck, consider paying your local chiropractor a visit for therapy.
Additional Dangers of Text Neck
There is more to text neck than just being a literal pain in the neck; a neck that remains bent constantly can actually lead to spinal degeneration. The average human head weighs between 10 to 12 pounds when in a neutral position, but even the slightest tip can significantly increase weight, causing more strain upon the individual’s back and spine. Tipping forward with your neck loads the front of your spinal discs, which you could safely hold for a moment—any longer, and lasting damage could take root.
Why Should You See a Chiropractor for Text Neck?
It so happens that chiropractors specialize in the treatment of spinal-related pain, and they are the ones you will want to approach if you feel that you are suffering from text neck. With careful therapy and treatment, chiropractors can restore your neck’s flexibility and reduce the sensation of pain. If you happen to be suffering from a lingering and chronic neck pain, some chiropractic centers in North Canton, Ohio such as Belden Village Chiropractic and Wellness Center offer pain management sessions that you can sign up for so that you can learn to mitigate the discomfort.
Source:
Text neck: how smartphones are damaging our spines, theguardian.com
A Modern Spine Ailment: Text Neck, spine-health.com