The Hidden Strain of Constant Texting and Tech Use
It's astonishing how common it is for us to spend hours hunched over our phones and computers every day. This widespread habit isn't just about staying connected; it's reshaping our health in ways we're just beginning to understand. As technology becomes a more constant companion, doctors are noticing a spike in new health issues directly linked to our tech-heavy lifestyles.
Let's dive into what's happening: Every time we drop our heads to send a text or scroll through social media, we're putting our spine and neck under stress. This posture, often called "text neck," is causing a whole host of problems. In fact, a 2014 study revealed that the forward tilt of our heads, a common stance when using gadgets, significantly strains our spines. Over time, this bad posture could speed up the wear and tear on our spines, potentially leading to early degeneration and even the need for surgeries down the line.
Most of us are guilty of bad posture—tilting our heads forward and letting our shoulders slump. On average, we might spend between 700 to 1,400 hours a year in this harmful position, just from texting and reading on our devices. And for teens, especially, those numbers are even higher.
So, what can we do about it? It starts with better posture. Ideal posture means lining up our ears with our shoulders and pulling our shoulder blades back. This alignment reduces spinal stress, which in turn helps prevent the degeneration of our spine and discs. Moreover, maintaining good posture isn't just about spinal health. It can actually boost your mood and hormone balance, increasing serotonin and testosterone, while reducing cortisol levels.
Regular chiropractic care can be a key part of maintaining good posture. By staying on top of adjustments, we can reduce the long-term impacts of text neck. Besides regular chiropractic visits, here are three action steps anyone can take to help mitigate the risks:
- Stick to a chiropractic adjustment plan to ease the strain on joints and discs, relax tense muscles, and support overall nervous system function.
- Develop and maintain good posture habits, perhaps even using tools that help support and remind you to keep that natural spinal curvature.
- Increase your water intake—not only does it keep you hydrated, but it also encourages more frequent movement breaks, which are crucial when we spend so much time sitting.
By understanding the effects of our device usage and taking proactive steps to counteract them, we can enjoy the perks of our digital devices without sacrificing our spinal health.
Medical Hypotheses December 2015
"Measurable changes in the neuro-endocrinal mechanism following spinal manipulation." K Kovanur Sampath, R Mani, JD Cotter, S Tumilty