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Why ‘Tech Neck’ Is So Harmful to Our Health – and How to Prevent It

If you’ve spent hour after hour staring at a computer screen or your cell phone, you’re probably familiar with the discomfort that results from your screen time sessions. ‘Tech Neck’ is the term used for the soreness, stiffness, and general discomfort caused by the repetitive strain from bending your head forward to look at an electronic screen. ‘Tech Neck’ can cause long-term pain and discomfort – but there are ways to prevent it.

Why Is ‘Tech Neck’ Bad for Your Health?

Tech Neck’ can cause pain in your neck, shoulders, and head, and it places a great deal of strain on your spine. It can cause long-term damage if not corrected. When your neck strains down or forward, it doubles the weight of your head which causes your muscles to work harder to support it. Because your muscles are working harder, it adds more pressure to your discs which causes them to weaken more quickly. Your weakened discs can even rupture, which could require surgery to correct it.

 

Now, imagine how often you’re looking at a screen – the average American adult clocks almost eight hours of screen time every day. That’s longer than some people sleep! This time spent straining your neck often goes unrecognized until you’re experiencing discomfort or pain.

So, How Do I Prevent It?

Position Your Screen Higher 

Ideally, you want your screens (that includes your phone) to be at eye level. By positioning your screen higher, you’re preventing your neck from sloping downward. If you’re working on a laptop or a desktop, you can easily add height to your screen by placing your laptop on a box or a few books.

Correct Your Posture 

Take a look at yourself in the mirror. If you’re standing correctly, you should be able to imagine a vertical line being drawn from your ear down to your shoulder. If you often find yourself slumping, set an alarm on your phone to do posture checks every 30 minutes until you’ve created good posture habits.

See a Chiropractor 

Chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, specifically spinal alignment. Since ‘tech neck’ is caused by improper alignment, seeking care from a chiropractor can help to both alleviate symptoms and improve your posture and spinal alignment. Contact Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic for an evaluation if you frequently suffer from the effects of ‘tech neck’ and want to prevent it from causing further damage.

If you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call a Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic location or request an appointment online today.