What is Text Neck?
It’s no secret that kids are attached to their phones. They’re constantly on social media, texting, or playing games on their smartphones. While technology has made our lives easier, it can also be a source of pain for young people. It’s not just the obvious phone-related issues, such as eye strain or body image problems, but the long-term physical damage that the constant use of mobile technology can do to the body.
Text neck is an informal term for neck problems caused by frequently looking down at a smartphone. It’s essentially the result of poor posture. When we’re in the habit of looking down at a phone for hours on end, the head and neck angle downward, causing a forward tilt in the head carriage. This in turn causes the muscles in the back of the neck to shorten and the muscles in the front of the neck to lengthen, pulling the head forward and placing pressure on the ligaments and vertebra in the neck.
Text Neck and the Upper Cervical Spine
The musculoskeletal imbalances caused by smartphone overuse often coincide with muscle and vertebral strain along the spinal column. Over time, this strain can lead to the development of a misalignment in the upper cervical spine.
When the spine is out of alignment, it puts extra pressure on the nerves and the muscles of the neck and upper back. Left untreated, this pressure can underpin a range of more serious health concerns, including herniated discs, migraines, and chronic neck pain.
Avoiding Text Neck
Somewhat unsurprisingly, one of the most effective ways to treat or prevent text neck is to change the way you and your kids use your smartphones. Instead of spending hours hunched over a screen, try to minimize phone time. When you are using your mobile, try to keep your neck straight and your phone lifted in front of your face.
If your kids are accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, another helpful preventative measure is to encourage your kids to become more active and practice checking and correcting their natural posture.
Treating Text Neck
At our office, we treat text neck with a combination of manual therapy and gentle chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine. Importantly, while this treatment program is often successful, it’s likely that text neck will return if your kids continue to use their smartphones in the same way they did before they started treatment. The good news is that if the problem returns at a later date, we’ll be happy to provide further care.
If you’re tired of suffering from text neck, why not get in touch for a free consultation with our office. Dr. Bello services patients in Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles, Brentwood, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and the surrounding areas.