If you’re like most people, you spend a lot of time on your phone. From checking emails to watching social media videos and updating your followers, you have to stay connected to the world these days. But could the technology you love and need be harmful for you? Could your time with your phone, computer, or tablet be giving you severe neck pain? Keep reading to learn how technology and neck pain are connected and what you can do about it.

HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN CAUSE NECK PAIN
Technology has affected so many people that there is a clinical term for neck pain associated with extensive use of technology: text neck. You may be thinking that texting itself could be the problem. However, text neck is most often the result of poor posture. Whether you’re watching TikTok videos or reading an e-book, the way you spend your screen time can hurt your neck. Unfortunately, most people hold their phones down by their chest or stomach, requiring their head to be pointed downward.

Your neck is intended to hold your head up and turn it in various directions. However, it is not designed to stay in one position, especially downward, for long stretches of time. Holding your head, which weighs about 11 pounds, in this position puts immense stress on your neck and upper back muscles and causes discomfort in these areas.

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT NECK PAIN
The easiest solution to technology neck is to avoid being on your phone or tablet for prolonged periods of time, but that advice isn’t always practical. Many workers are required to be on devices throughout the day; however, you can take little breaks here and there to stretch, reset proper posture, and look away from the screen. Taking just a few minutes every hour or so can help your body stay loose and comfortable. As a result, you’ll be less likely to experience text neck.

In addition, you can visit an experienced chiropractor, who can administer adjustments on a regular basis. Getting this therapy can help your muscles and tendons loosen and your spine realign so that you can enjoy relief from pain and potentially prevent pain in the future. Your chiropractor can also teach you stretches to do at home to alleviate your discomfort and improve your posture.

In the end, you may not be able to walk away from technology completely, but you can take action to avoid text neck or at least experience less neck pain. By understanding where your neck pain is coming from and how to counter it, you can reduce your discomfort and enjoy technology at the same time.

About the Author

Dr. Blakely is a 1980 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, the foremost and most widely recognized college in the field of Chiropractic medicine. Past pursuits in his practice have been in the sports field from treatment of professional rodeo as a team doctor for Wrangler Sports to treatment of Charger, LPGA golfers and surfing athletes.