TEXT NECK

The average American spends around 2 ½ hours on their phones every single day. Learn how to avoid the health consequences of text neck. 

What to Look For

  • From the Washington Post
    • The average head is the same weight as a bowling ball (10-12 lbs)
    • Normally the head should be directly over the shoulders
  • With Text Neck Posture, the head drifts forward, and even a 15 degree head tilt doubles the weight of the head on the neck and shoulders.  A 60 degree tilt makes that same weight up to 60 lbs!
  • This can lead to early onset of cervical spine degeneration, headaches and migraines, and even depression.
  • Loss of lung capacity is a direct effect of this as well.
  • Chronic muscle tightness and stiffness follows suit due to lasting tension on the cervical spine.

What to Do

  • Get your computer screen at least up to eye level.  If its a phone, follow the phrase “Bring your phone to your eyes, not your eyes to your phone”.  Make sure your lifting your phone up to be in front of you.
  • Remember, when at a young age, the ligaments are still molding and forming.  If we spend an average of more than 2 1/2 hours per day on our phones, that is more than enough time to affect the normal development of the spinal curve in the neck.
  • Spend time on your phone by lying on your stomach and extending your head up. This helps support the normal curvature in the neck, and even strengthens the muscles in the back of the neck.
  • Decrease phone time.
  • Make sure to have your spine checked by a Chiropractor to ensure normal curvature and development of the spine.
  • Go to our “Ergonomic Excellence” page to learn how to setup your workstation to prevent neck problems.
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