Text neck and the implications modern day technology can have on posture.
So we all know how great technology can be, but it’s quite shocking how much we rely on such devices, hands up, myself included.
“Text neck” is the term used to describe pain and potential damage caused by looking down at a phone or tablet device for prolonged periods of time.
Two thirds of the UK population own a smart phone and it is forecast to reach 2.08 billion worldwide this year. Now that’s a lot of people who are potentially at risk of developing issues with cervical vertebra, the upper back and neck muscles.
When these muscles are overly tight due to being over used in the wrong way (basically not doing the movements they are designed to do) the user may develop symptoms such as a stiff neck, headache and even limited movement.
Teens and children are especially at risk due to the high amount of social media use. I for one can’t even keep up with the different amount of social media platforms there are out there!
It’s such a popular thing now that ironically there are even Apps available which alert the user when their head tilts down too much!
Here are a few simple steps for text neck prevention without having to go smart phone cold turkey :
- Bring the device to eye level instead of looking down at the screen
- Take regular breaks which will also benefit the eyes
Stretches applied to the neck in general are very beneficial
- Slowly raise chin towards the ceiling
- Rotate the head so it is looking over one shoulder-repeat to other side
- Chin towards the chest
- Tilt head towards the side (ear to shoulder).
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