Why Your Texting Posture Could Be a Real Pain in the Neck

Did you know that your texting posture might be putting as much strain on your neck as if you were carrying around a few bowling balls? Yes, you read that right! With smartphones becoming almost like a third hand for many of us, there's growing concern among health experts about the side effects of constantly looking down at our devices.

Here's the scoop: a study from 2014 shed light on how our mobile habits are not just about staying connected. People, on average, spend between 2 and 4 hours each day with their heads tilted forward, peering at their smartphone screens. This seemingly harmless act translates into a staggering 700 to 1400 hours of added stress on the cervical spine every year. And for high schoolers, this number can spike up to 5000 hours annually.

Now, let’s break down what this means for your neck. At a 15-degree angle of bending your head forward, your neck deals with an extra 27 pounds of pressure. And at 60 degrees, which is pretty typical when texting, this pressure surges to 60 pounds. Imagine the strain of carrying around four heavy bowling balls – that’s the kind of pressure your neck endures every time you text!

This constant forward tilt can wreak havoc over time, leading to wear and tear on the joints and discs in your neck, causing them to degrade faster than normal. It can even mess with your hormones, disturbing the balance of testosterone and serotonin, while boosting cortisol levels, which is definitely not a recipe for feeling great.

Chiropractors are stepping up, armed with their expertise on how the spine ties into overall health. They advocate for regular care to counteract the stress we put on our bodies through modern tech use. Adjustments, proper posture habits, and keeping your devices at eye level can make a world of difference in maintaining the health of your spine and neck.

In essence, as much as we love our gadgets, it's crucial to look after our body's framework with the same enthusiasm. Whether it’s through chiropractic adjustments, better posture practices, or simply adjusting how you hold your phone, taking care of your spine is a key part of staying healthy in the digital age. After all, nobody wants to end up with a real pain in the neck!

Surgical Technology International November 2014
"Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head." KK Hansraj