Let's Talk About Text Neck

 2.9 trillion texts are being sent annually by U.S. consumers -- there are millions of potential sufferers of text neck. 

The physical stress of texting to the accumulated buildup of pressure in neck muscles already strained by the amount of time many of us spend in a flexed posture while sitting at desktop computers and over phones surfing the internet, texting, and checking email. Holding your head in such a posture can add up to 30 pounds of extra weight on your upper vertebrae which, in addition to straining the upper fibers of your trapezius muscles, can pull your spine our of alignment. (Forbes 2013)


If you're much like the rest of us and are a regular smartphone user, follow these tips to reduce your risk of text neck:
  • Hold your phone up when you text or play games, instead of looking down. Looking down at your phone screen can up anywhere between 27lbs - 60lbs of pressure on on spine. 
  • Dictate. If your phone's texting app has dictation, use it. 
  • Take Frequent, regular breaks. Avoid prolonged bouts of texting, gaming, surfing, or reading emails.
  • Support your range of motion. When you take the time to exercise, focus on movements that will strengthen your neck, back extensors, rhomboids and latissimus dorsi muscles. 
  • Stay hydrated. Proper hydration all day long eases stress throughout the body, from the neck down.
  • Communicate with friends and family another way. Leave a voice mail, send an email from your desktop computer, or better yet, get together in person to enjoy a cup of coffee with your phones safely stowed away. 
Text neck has been shown to lead to early wear-and-tear on the spine, degeneration and even surgery. You'll notice that your posture isn't the same, your upper back/shoulder area will be in discomfort/pain, you'll notice headaches and neck aches. The scariest part of this is that as technology advances the younger people are when they start these bad habits.

Here at Long Chiropractic we're dedicated to help our patients learn how to avoid text neck and to help alleviate pain associated with not having proper neck posture.
Don't let texting be a pain in YOUR neck; visit Dr. Casey today! 

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