TOO MUCH TIME HEAD DOWN LOOKING AT DEVICES?

HEADS UP – ARE YOU DEVELOPING TEXT NECK?

Your head weighs about 12 pounds, and if you spend a significant amount of time hunched over—meaning, your head bent forward and down as when texting, emailing or gaming—the forces on your cervical spine are substantial. The degree to which this position affects your spine depends on the angle of the bend and the amount of time you spend with your head in this position.

SYMPTOMS AND INJURIES:

Chronic Headaches, Upper Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Increased Curvature of the Spine, Potential Breathing Problems

IT’S MORE THAN JUST TEXTING!!!

If you are worried about text neck than you are ignoring the activities that have had humans bending their necks for centuries. Reading books, playing chess, looking down at the sidewalk, sewing, golfing, knitting etc. all require the neck to flex. Where is the outrage in the media against knitting? Against chess? We have always bent our necks, it is what we are built to do… The problem with text-neck is the same problem as any other prolonged position. We are meant to move. If you hold your head in ANY position for prolonged periods it is likely that you will feel pain. Ask a soldier on parade. That ideal upright position is a real pain in the neck.

HOW TO AVOID TEXT NECK

Raise the device to eye level so the head doesn’t have to be titled.

Take frequent breaks

Stand up straight

Arch and stretch

Stay fit

Get those Upper Cervical Adjustments!!