At Shadowood Chiropractic Center, our Boca Raton chiropractor team—led by Dr. Allan DellaBella—meets hundreds of people every year struggling with persistent neck pain. In his experience, tech neck is a common underlying culprit! Keep reading to learn more about this highly prevalent neck pain syndrome.
What is Tech Neck?
The term “tech neck” (alternatively “text neck”) occurs because of the common habit of slouching while using a smartphone, laptop, or other digital devices. A prolonged amount of time hunched over a screen—with the head forward, neck flexed down, and shoulders rounded—can lead to temporary strain and stress on the many tissues in the neck and shoulder area. Over time, the repeated strain may cause or worsen underlying problems like degenerative disc disease, muscle strains, and disc bulge.
Is tech neck a “brand new” phenomenon? After all, even before phones and tablets, people would still hunch over their desks to read newspapers or write on typewriters. But these days, our “plugged in” and increasingly sedentary lifestyles definitely has us hunching over more often than our ancestors probably did. According to research shared by New York Presbyterian Hospital, most Americans spend as much as 6 hours per day with digital media!
By the way, if you think having your nose in your phone isn’t affecting you, consider this: dropping your head forward by just 45 degrees is equivalent to forcing your neck muscles to hold up a 50 lb bag!
Signs and Symptoms of Tech Neck
The chief signs and symptoms of tech neck may include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Arm and shoulder pain and stiffness
- Tingling in the arm, hands, and fingers (if a nerve in the neck is compressed)
- Headaches
- Jaw pain and clicking
- Blurry vision and tired eyes
- Fatigue and brain fog
How Our Boca Raton Chiropractor Treats Tech Neck
Our Boca Raton chiropractor has several options for people who need help alleviating and avoiding tech neck. In the clinic, Dr. DellaBella offers things like chiropractic adjustments and postural training tips to maximize the alignment of the spine, restore tissue health, and alleviate pain and stiffness.
In addition, Dr. DellaBella also recommends various lifestyle strategies to avoid stressful neck positions. These strategies include:
- Standing more
- Modifying the ergonomic set-up of your office space to keep the head and neck in better alignment
- Exercising regularly (this increases blood flow and improves core strength—all great for spine health!)
- Using posture correction reminders on your phone, calendar, etc.
Is tech neck holding you back at work or home? Contact Shadowood Chiropractic Center at (561) 488-4000 to schedule a consultation today!