What is Text Neck?

Have you heard the term “text neck” before? We’re sure that you can get the idea from the term itself, but according to Spine Health it is the “neck pain and damage sustained from looking down at your cell phone, tablet, or other wireless devices too frequently and for too long.”

In today’s digital age, everyone is attached to some sort of device. You would be hard pressed to find someone who isn’t looking down at a device the next time you are out to eat, riding in a car or plane, or even walking down the street. Recent studies show that the average person spends three hours on their phone per day – whether that is from texting, emailing, calling, social media, or other usage.

Why is that a problem? According to the Washington Post, the human head weighs an average of 12 pounds. When you bend your neck forward and face down, the weight put onto your cervical spine increases. Ideally the head sits directly over the spine and its structure can handle that weight. With the neck at a 45 degree angle and the head forward, the head actually has a felt weight of 49 pounds.

Now this isn’t a new phenomenon. People have spent years looking down at books and newspapers, reading, and other work. The issue is that with our digital devices, people are spending more time and longer periods of time with their head and neck tilted down looking at devices.

There can be a concern for neck and back pain due to text neck. It is especially concerning for younger people as they are accustomed to this and it can cause permanent damage and issues for years to come if not properly mitigated and treated.

Symptoms of Text Neck

Most commonly, symptoms of text neck will be neck pain and soreness. Other symptoms may include:

• Upper back pain, including chronic to sharp pain
• Upper back spasms
• Shoulder pain and tightness
• Headaches and migraines

Treatment of Text Neck

While the best way to treat text neck is to prevent it, sometimes you need to see a professional to get relief.

The root of the problem with text neck is that the vertebrae of the cervical spine are misaligned. If you are feeling any of the symptoms of text neck, Fredericksburg Chiropractic can treat you for relief of these symptoms. Our team will be able to assess your current condition and how far text neck may have progressed. We will then work with you to create a custom treatment plan to correct the problem.

Chiropractic care at Fredericksburg Chiropractic is one of the best means of preventative care. By having your neck and back need properly and consistently aligned, we will stop a lot of problems before they start.

By keeping your head and neck in a downward position, misalignments will occur. From there it is only a matter of time before you start to experience the symptoms of text neck.

Contact Fredericksburg Chiropractic at 717-865-6183 or online to arrange for a consultation with Dr. McKinney. If you or someone you know is suffering from text neck pain, share this article with them!