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“Text Neck” – The Problem, Prevention Tips and Treatment Options
Looking down at your cell phone or tablet for long hours can cause neck strain and pain -- a condition referred to as ‘text neck’ or ‘tech neck’. Pain management doctors are now busy treating problems associated with poor postures due to modern lifestyles. Technology is a blessing to humans, but it can have negative effects on life and your health. For example, consider mobile handheld devices like smartphones which many people now regard as their best friend. The greater the amount of time you spend looking down at and texting on your smartphone, the greater the damage you cause your neck, spine and shoulders. This would put you at the risk of the newly diagnosed condition termed “text neck” or “tech neck” -- strain and pain caused by spending too much time on wireless devices. Staring down at your phone continuously affects posture. Your shoulders are hunched forward and your neck is strained in an uncomfortable angle while you are looking down at its screen. Symptoms associated with tech neck include bone spurs, chronic, nagging pain to sharp, severe upper back muscle spasms, eye strain, headaches and neck pain, back, shoulder and even arms. Damage to the spine can get worse over time. Experts say that if left untreated, the condition can lead to severe complications such as arthritis, flattening of the spinal curve, disc degeneration, spinal misalignment, muscle damage, and gastrointestinal problems.
Alarming Statistics Text neck is becomingly increasingly common, especially among teens. Spine Health reported that a recent study found that 79% of the population between the ages 18 and 44 have their cell phones with them almost all the time—with only 2 hours of their waking day spent without their cell phone on hand. Recent statistics indicate that the average adult spends about 3.6 hours daily (that’s 1300 hours per year) on their mobile devices. Experts say the position is essentially equivalent of adding 60 lbs. or over four bowling balls worth of stress to the back of your neck! It’s hardly surprising that this causes tech neck. Hunching over a desktop computer can also cause this postural problem.
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Tips to Prevent Tech Neck To prevent this postural syndrome, you should ease the strain on the neck: Move the cell phone to your eye level so the head doesn’t have to be tilted. Take frequent breaks when driving or using your smartphone. Place your computer monitor at eye level. The head should be positioned in line with your shoulders and spine. Also, sit up straight when you’re using the computer.
Effective Pain Management Options are Available If you have symptoms of text neck, the ideal solution would be to consult a pain management doctor in a reliable NY healthcare center. In reliable centers providing rehabilitation services, experts use a combination of safe and effective strategies to help patients manage acute and chronic pain and optimize physical potential and health. After accurately diagnosing the condition, a team of pain management specialists including chiropractors, physical therapists, and rehab experts will create a customized treatment plan that includes diverse therapies to address the condition. Reputable centers combine the latest treatment techniques with traditional modalities to help patients recover faster. Contact Us Dedicated to providing service with honesty and integrity, HealthQuest ensures care and support in friendly, comfortable surroundings. We go the extra mile to offer a level of customer service that exceeds the expectations of our patients. You can contact us at any time with questions or concerns regarding treatment procedures, recovery, or care. We welcome your suggestions and feedback. You will find our staff to be friendly and willing to help in any way we can. We accept Medicare, Workers’ Compensation, No-Fault and other major medical insurance plans. To schedule an appointment or consultation, contact us today at 718-769-2521 or forward an e-mail to info@hqbk.com. For emergency appointments, we can be reached at any hour via emergency pager. To know more about our service timings, please visit our hours/locations page.
www.hqbk.com
(718) 769-2521