Technology Can Be A Pain In The Neck!
Our modern digital age has brought us many conveniences. Smartphones, tablets, and e-
readers make it possible for you to communicate or be entertained with the push of a button.
While technology can improve your quality of life, it comes with a price: being huddled over
your devices for long periods of time can do more harm than good.
If you’ve used a smartphone or tablet for an extensive period of time, you’ve probably
experienced the strain it puts on your upper body. This condition even has its own name:
“Text Neck”
Here are four strategies to help you avoid “Text Neck” strain:
- Take frequent breaks
Take frequent breaks and look up from your device to give your neck some relief from the
pressure of looking down.
- Sit up straight
It’s important to sit up straight while texting. This way, you can maintain good posture, relieving
your back and shoulders from the strain of being hunched over.
- Hold the phone a little higher
Holding the phone closer to eye level helps maintain a healthy posture and puts less strain on
your neck. Consider using a stand for devices, even periodically, to change the way that you hold and look at your device.
- Stretch
Be sure to stretch often between long periods of extended device use. Put your hands at
your sides and rotate your shoulders to relieve tension. You can also tuck your chin down to
your neck and then lookup. This action helps to relieve some of the tension built up in your neck
due to the forward-down position we often adopt when looking at our device.
Author: Dr. Marco De Ciantis, D.C.