Do you Suffer from “Text Neck?”

New technology can certainly make our lives much easier. It can make our daily activities quicker, more efficient and also more exciting. With the invention of cell phones, tablets and Ipads, one can be entertained as well as communicate with others virtually anywhere on the planet. But are there health risks to using these types of gadgets? The quick answer is “yes, there are.” One such risk is the development of a newer medical condition known as “text neck.” This refers to neck pain caused by texting on your cell phone. While texting can be easier and less time consuming than placing a call, is not without its risks.

When people use their cell phones to write text messages, typically their phone is at waist level and their head is hung forward. This places a lot of strain on the muscles that hold the head upright. This may lead to neck pain and headaches. Over time, this will damage the normal posture of the neck, leading to chronic problems. One such chronic problem is more wear and tear on the neck joints, also known as arthritis.

While this activity shouldn’t be problematic if done infrequently, it can be quite bothersome if done for extended periods of time. The population that I see texting the most is teenagers, sometimes texting for hours a day. I fear the type of neck related issues they will have years down the road. I have comprised a list of “text neck“ tips to help you diminish the problems listed above:

1. Limit cell phone use, if possible.  Excessive texting may cause neck pain and headaches.
2. When texting, try to raise the phone up towards your chest, so that your head does not have to hang so low.
3. After cell phone or computer use, it is a good idea to stretch your neck to help prevent pain and stiffness.
4. If you already suffer from “text neck” a hot pack may help alleviate some of your pain.
5. Along with the at-home remedies listed above, several health care professionals may be able to give you some relief, such as chiropractors, physical therapist, massage therapists and acupuncturists, to name a few.
6. At the beginning or end of your day, lie on your back with a rolled up towel under your neck. This will accentuate the normal neck posture which is lost while texting.