Is Your Neck a ‘Text Neck?’

Do you walk around noticing how many of us are on our cell phones these days? Instead of looking at each other or the world around us, the vast majority of us have our heads down looking at our cellular or wireless devices in front of us.

While the convenience of wireless devices makes life easier on some levels, if misused, it can wreak havoc on other levels.

Enter the modern day term: ‘text neck.’

Text neck refers to the pain and injuries that can occur when an individual looks down at their cellular device for too long. When the human head is in a forward position for a period of time, it can place undue strain on the neck, shoulders and spine and create ailments such as disc herniation, chronic headaches and shoulder pain, to name a few.

How can this daily activity create such pain?

The human head is like a bowling ball that rests on top of our neck and weighs about 12 pounds on average. In a recent article, The Washington Post, points out that depending on the angle that our head is being held, the original weight of the head can increase causing more tension on the spinal vertebra. For example, if the head is at a 15 degree angle, the head weighs about 27 pounds and at a 60 degree angle the head weighs about 60 pounds. The more pounds resting on our neck, the greater amount of tension is placed on it, increasing the opportunity for injury.

Are there ways to prevent text neck?

There are several things you can do to prevent text neck, here are a few:

* Place your head at a zero degree angle and hold your phone up to you instead of looking down at it.
* Stretch and strengthen your neck and shoulders on a regular basis (a physical therapist or personal trainer can help with this or there are wonderful resources online).
* Receive regular massage therapy, myofascial release or craniosacral sessions (hint, hint!;).

Prevent your neck from turning into text neck by incorporating these self care techniques today.