Postural Stress: The Link Between Tech Neck and Pain

Looking for neck pain treatment in Austin, Texas? Odds are it's tech-related. The good news? You can overcome tech neck and pain, naturally. Here's how.

Bottom Line:

While your anatomy has a role in the amount of postural stress you experience, so do many of the tiny decisions you make on a daily basis.

You've probably seen an article or two regarding the link between tech neck and discomfort on the internet.

You may have even seen an increase in advertising for neck pain treatment in Austin, Texas, which is understandable.

Did you know that most of us spend at least 2 hours per day on our cellphones and at least 5 hours per day on our computers?

That adds up to thousands of hours of you keeping your neck "stuck" in an awkward position year after year!

Take a moment now to check...

Is your head creeping forward as you read this?

You're in the forward head posture known as tech neck if your chin is tucked under and your ears are in front of your shoulders.

This position has also been referred to as "text neck."

Driving a car, working on the computer, and using a tablet or phone all usually result in this less-than-ideal posture.

And the number of people suffering from headaches, neck discomfort, and other types of pain has risen dramatically in recent years.

Why it Matters:

Let's take a closer look at the relationship between tech neck and pain.

The average person's head weighs between 8 and 11 pounds.

Every day, you're essentially walking around with a bowling ball balanced on a toothpick (your head) (your neck).

Even under ideal conditions, this puts a lot of strain on our spine.

It may not seem like much, but your neck's seven bones and twenty muscles must work in perfect harmony to balance that weight so you can move your head around without pain.

Your ears should be aligned with your shoulders in the ideal situation (when your shoulders are pulled back).

Tilting your head forward even 15 degrees can raise the weight of your head on your neck by more than three times.

The stress and pressure on your neck is approximately tenfold when you tilt your head forward 60 degrees.

That stress can build up and cause your neck to become stiff.

We're talking stiffness, dysfunction, headaches, and more.

 We’re talking about the development of tech neck and pain, and that can leave you looking for neck pain treatment in Austin, Texas.

To recap...

• Tech neck is the term used to describe the flexed head and neck position when looking down at your smartphone.
• Even 15 degrees of forward bending (flexion) can increase the stress of your head on your neck by 3X.
• Look up taking breaks every 15 minutes and looking up for your phone or tablet can help your body reset and give your muscles a chance to relax.

Next Steps:

It takes more than adjusting the angle at which you look at your phone to reduce the symptoms of tech neck and pain.

The good news is that being proactive and making a few simple lifestyle adjustments will help you lower your pain risk.

You may battle the impacts of tech neck by improving your ergonomics, stretching every day, and getting regular spinal adjustments.

Take a moment today to check your posture.

If your shoulders are rounding, your head has shifted forward, and your upper back is hunched over, it's necessary to stretch.

Also, if you notice yourself slouching into this posture on a regular basis, let us know - especially if tech neck and pain are preventing you from enjoying your life.

You must first understand what perfect posture looks like and, perhaps more significantly, how to maintain it before you can begin to improve your posture.

That's where we come in.

Our team has the knowledge and experience to help you fix your posture and overcome your tech neck and pain, from evaluation to adjustments to at-home stretches and exercises.

By reducing the stress on your neck, you can look forward to many years of continuing to enjoy your smart devices without pain and discomfort!

It all starts with a click or a call. 

Schedule a consultation with us for neck pain treatment in Austin, Texas today to get started. 

Science Sources: 

"Tech Neck" Taking a Toll on Posture. Columbia Spine. 2018.

How to Prevent Neck and Back Pain Working From Home. Health Matters. 2020.