For years I've been talking to patients about the stress having their head too far forward puts on their neck and upper back and the the degeneration and pain that this forward head posture causes. More recently, we've started talking about "texting neck".
With so many devices like smart phones and iPads all you have to do is look around and you will see your friends and family members looking down at their phones. It almost seems normal, or at least common these days, to see folks looking down at various devices. But the truth is that it puts a tremendous pressure on your neck.
A new study published in Surgical Technology International finds that texting can add up to 50 pounds of pressure on a person’s spine. Yep, like having a 7 year old sitting on your neck! “Loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine leads to incrementally increased stresses about the cervical spine, these stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries.” wrote study author Dr. Kenneth K. Hansraj, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon.
As always, regular chiropractic care and spinal stabilization exercises are vital to a healthy spine and body. But the solution to this new "texting neck" problems is even more simple ...hold your dang phone higher!
Ken Hicks, D.C.
www.lookoutvalleychiro.com
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