Text Neck

Everything You Need to Know About Text Neck

If you keep up-to-date with the latest medical trends and afflictions, you may have heard about the aptly named 'text neck'. But if you haven't heard of it, it is pretty much exactly what it sounds like -- soreness/stiffness in the neck caused by repeatedly looking down at a mobile device for long periods of time. This condition is a modern issue (obviously) and is getting worse. As cell phones become more prevalent among younger and younger people, text neck and poor posture will become significant issues. Recent studies have shown that 87% of teens in the US and 79% of teens in the UK own and use smartphones each day.

Text Neck Symptoms
Contrary to what you may be thinking, your neck isn't the only thing that will hurt, depending on the severity of text neck. You may also feel one or more of the following symptoms:

• Stiff neck
• Radiating pain in the shoulders, arms, and upper back
• Weakness in the muscles
• Tension headaches

More serious conditions associated with text neck:

• Disc compression
• Arthritis
• ​​Decrease in lung capacity

How Do I Fix Text Neck?
First and foremost, avoid using a mobile device for long periods of time. If you have to look at your phone for prolonged periods of time, put it on a stand or hold it evenly with your eyes. This will make it easier to sit up straight and avoid bad posture habits while on your phone.

For more severe cases of text neck, apply an ice or heat pack to the back of your neck, try out massage therapy and be sure to do stretches and chin-tuck exercises every day.

One of the best things you can do to cure or even avoid text neck entirely is regularly seeing a chiropractor. A qualified chiropractor will be able to more accurately diagnose the issue and give a treatment regimen custom-tailored to your needs. As a family chiropractor, I'm able to treat all sorts of afflictions -- including text neck. Schedule a consultation to get started today!

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