Neck Pain and Mobile Phone Use: What You Need to Know
In this modern age, we’ve found that we just cannot do without mobile phones. They’ve become an important part of our lives. The problem is that using them constantly has given rise to a new syndrome, that we often call “tech neck.” It’s actually not dissimilar to whiplash injury – it just builds over a longer period of time!
What Is Tech Neck?
Tech neck refers to the discomfort in the neck and shoulders caused by use of mobile phones, tablets, and other digital devices for too long a time. When you spend hours looking down at the screens of phone and tablets, the posture places undue, increasing pressure stress on the neck and upper back muscles, leading to pain, stiffness, and even headaches.
The Mechanics of Tech Neck
Did you know that the human head weighs approximately 5 kilograms. When you tilt your head forward to look at your phone, the strain on your neck can increase hugely. It’s said that moving your head moving forward only 1cm to look at a iPhone, the strain on the muscles can double.
For example, at a 30-degree angle, the effective weight on your neck is about 18 kilograms, and at a 60-degree angle, it’s nearly 27 kilograms! This prolonged strain can lead to common issues such as:
- Muscle fatigue
- Reduced flexibility
- Chronic neck and shoulder pain
- Loss of the normal motion of the neck
Common Symptoms seen in our clinics
Some of the most common symptoms associated with tech neck include:
- Persistent neck and shoulder pain
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Headaches, often originating at the base of the skull
- Tingling or numbness in the arms, due to nerve compression and pinching
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
At Michael & David Black Chiropractic Group, we specialise in addressing tech neck and its symptoms. Chiropractic care restores proper neck alignment. It helps to relieve muscle tension and overall helps to improve spinal health. Here’s how we can help:
- Spinal Adjustments: We realign the vertebrae to help alleviate nerve and joint pressure and improve posture.
- Soft Tissue Therapy: Reducing muscle tension and improving blood flow.
- Posture Education: We help to teach you how to maintain a neutral spine while using mobile phones.
- Ergonomic Advice: It’s most important to help you set up your workspace or mobile use habits to minimize strain so you stop flexing your neck forward.
Tips to Prevent Tech Neck
While chiropractic care is highly effective, prevention is always better than cure. We call it preventative chiropractic. Here are some simple steps to reduce the risk of tech neck:
- Hold Your Device at Eye Level: Avoid looking down for prolonged periods.
- Take Regular Breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This changes your focus and relieves eye strain as well.
- Strengthen Your Neck and Shoulders: Incorporate exercises that build muscle strength and flexibility.
- Be Mindful of Your Posture: When you sit up, hold your shoulders back and try to keep your head aligned over your spine. Have someone take a photo from 90 degrees and look at your own position.
Why Choose Michael & David Black Chiropractic Group?
With locations in Armadale and Doncaster, our team is committed to helping you achieve optimal health and well-being.
We are proud to be BUPA Members First Providers and we accept Medicare EPC plans referred from your medical doctor. Whether you’re dealing with tech neck or any other musculoskeletal problem, our evidence-based approach ensures we can give you personalized care for your needs.
Don’t let neck pain hold you back from enjoying life. Contact us today at www.blackchiropractic.com.au or call us at 9509 7691 to schedule your consultation.
Together, we can help you find relief and restore chiropractic balance to your life.
