IS TEXT NECK REAL?

 

 

Yes, Neck is an important part that connects the body with head and is surrounded by the short and sensitive muscles from all the four sides.

‘TEXT NEXT” is basically overuse syndrome or a repetitive stress injury, where we have our head hung forwards and down looking at our mobile for extended period of time.

There are Studies which suggests that 79% of the population between the age group of 18-44 years have their cell phones with them for almost most of the hours of a day. According to the recent Times of India survey, 82 million Indian Adults were smartphone users and they usually spend an average of 3 hours a day on their smartphone while heavy smartphone users spend 8-10 hours in a day.

 ’Text neck’ which can possibly affect millions of population worldwide, is a growing health concern. We as Smartphone users usually spend an average of about 2-4 hours per day hunched over, reading e-mails, sending texts or checking the social media sites. “Text neck” is a serious condition that may lead to the early wear and tear on our spine and also early spinal degeneration.

 In today’s world, where the mobile technology has advanced a lot, more and more people are spending an increased amount of time on handheld devices, such as Smartphone, computer, tablets and e-readers. And the end result of which is prolonged bending of the neck when bent over these electronic devices resulting in the “text neck”.

When we are in upright posture, the ears are aligned with the centre of the shoulders, the weight of the average head exerts approximately 10-12 lbs of force through the neck muscles. But when we move our head forward by one inch away from the neutral position, the weight of the head dramatically increases to approx six times.

Example when the head is tilted forwards at 15 degrees- the forces on the neck surge to 27 pounds, at 30 degrees- 40 pounds, at 45 degrees - 49 pounds and at 60 degrees - 60 pounds. While using a smartphone, people usually have a downward gaze to stare at lowered objects and maintain their head in forward position for prolong period of time which causes neck pain.

                         

 If it is left untreated, a ‘text neck’ can lead to the various problems such as:

·          Inflammation of the neck ligaments, muscles and nerves

·        Permanent arthritic damage

·         Increase in curvature of the cervical spine.

Nowadays, text neck is more common in today’s generation of the young adults who are constantly craning their necks or are bending over their mobile phones even while performing simple tasks of daily living such as living, eating ,walking etc.

Common Presentation

·         Neck pain, Stiffness and Soreness.

·         Radiating pain

·         Upper back pain

·        Shoulder pain

·         Headache

·         Insomnia

·         Tingling, numbness in hands and

·         Muscular weakness of shoulder muscles.

Text neck syndrome has become a topic of concern and has potentially affected large number of people of all ages who use smartphone all over the world.

So, start using you smartphones in an appropriate position to avoid TEXT NECK

 

"SOME TIPS TO AVOID TEXT NECK"

         - STOP BENDING YOUR NECK WAY TOO MUCH

                                                    

   -  TRY TO MAINTAIN OPTIMUM DISTANCE FROM EYE LEVEL

   

               - CORRECT YOUR POSTURE WHILE USING PHONE

 - TRY TO USE BLUETOOTH DEVICES/ EARPHONES DURING CALLING

If facing any of the issues related to neck pains and posture, do contact your Physiotherapist.

 

"AWARENESS IS THE KEY TO PREVENTION"