Neck Pain and Forward Head Posture (Cervical Kyphosis)
The Effects of Forward Head Posture on Your Spine
Your time spent on digital gadgets can be harmful to your health; but, custom orthotics can help.
Cell phones are being utilized for much more than just making phone calls. They’re multi-purpose devices that take the place of watches, alarm clocks, and maps. Are you one of the 63 percent of Americans who keep their cellphones within arm’s reach at all times and check them at least once an hour? 1 Handheld digital devices, such as cell phones, make life a lot easier. However, the manner we utilize them might put our bodies under undue strain. That stress can cause pain and raise your risk of a neck injury over time.
Tech neck (also known as cervical kyphosis) is a problem that’s growing more common as individuals spend more time on their digital gadgets, straining to see the small print on the screens. The weight of our skulls varies between 10 and 12 pounds. 2 The weight is kept stable by keeping them in the proper upright position. Holding the head upright and bringing the device up to the face with an arm is the greatest way to read a cell phone screen. Most individuals, on the other hand, stare down at their phones when sitting, walking, or standing, causing their necks to drop and their shoulders to slump forward.
The pressure on the neck and base of the spine increases as we drop our heads to look at handheld devices at an uncomfortable position. Gravity causes the weight of the head over the body to increase exponentially with every inch the head goes forward. The pressure increases if the body is already imbalanced and out of alignment. When you consider how frequently we use our digital devices, that strain mounts up quickly.
Neck Pain and Forward Head Posture (Cervical Kyphosis)
The consequences of a tech neck
Muscles, ligaments, nerves, and bones are all affected by tech neck. Tech neck can cause the following problems in the short term:
Headaches that range from mild to severe
Neck, shoulder, and back pain, stiffness, and irritation
In the upper extremities, tingling, numbness, and reduced movement are common.
In the long run, your time spent on technology can put you at risk for:
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a type of degenerative
Damage to the muscles and nerves
The spine’s curvature
Osteoarthritis
What you can do to help
You may combat the symptoms of tech neck by making simple lifestyle modifications. Take frequent pauses from your devices, stretch periodically, and read at eye level whenever possible.
What your doctor can do to assist you
Working with a chiropractor can help you find relief from your existing symptoms while also preventing the illness from returning by:
Examining you for any physical imbalances that may be contributing to your neck pain.
Stretching exercises to help you grow and strengthen your neck and shoulder muscles are demonstrated.
demonstrating proper digital device usage postures
Adjustments are made to assist you in achieving and maintaining ideal posture, balance, and alignment.
Examining your feet for abnormal foot function that might cause your body to become out of alignment and exacerbate the affects of tech neck. They can prescribe Foot Levelers bespoke orthotics to help your body’s foundation — your feet – remain stable. Your body, like a house, need a sturdy foundation to stay secure. Effectively aligned feet allow you to move and support your weight properly. This relieves tension on your joints and allows them to perform their functions more effectively.
People of all ages and backgrounds suffer from tech neck. If you suspect your personal tech time is placing you at danger for this disease, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor to be evaluated and learn more.
Locate a Foot Levelers service provider.
*Gallup.com is one of the most well-known polling companies in the world.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/184046/smartphone-owners-check-phone-least-hourly.aspx
2Ryan, Camille, “Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2016,” American Community Survey Reports, ACS-39, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, 2017.
https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2018/acs/ACS-39.pdf