Text Neck

Text Neck

(a.k.a. Forward Head Translation)

Take a moment to assess your posture current posture.  Are your feet flat on the floor?  Knees and hips at 90 degrees?  Shoulders back… head in line with your shoulders…back straight?  If you are reading this on a desktop computer there is a good chance you are practicing proper postural habits.  Unfortunately, if you are reading this post on your phone or tablet there is a greater chance that you are engaged in postural habits that can increase neck pain, headaches, and pain across the shoulders.

As technology has freed us from our desks it has also increased the prevalence of a condition now called “text neck”.  Text neck refers to the loss of the natural curve in our necks as a result of looking downward for prolonged periods.  This curve (Cervical Lordosis) serves to distribute the force from the weight of our heads evenly throughout our neck and shoulders.  When we spend long periods of time looking forward and down we ingrain muscle patterns which cause the natural curve in our necks to straighten and angle forward.  For every inch of forward head translation, the relative weight of the head on the neck is doubled.  This can lead to early arthritic changes in the joints of the spine.

Regular chiropractic adjustments will help align the vertebrae of the spine.  Once the vertebrae of the spine are freely moveable and properly aligned with each other an exercise called “Cervical Extension Traction” can be utilized to help restore the lost curve in the neck.  After the initial phase of your care, your chiropractor will explain how to properly utilize this exercise to combat the daily activities that work to alter the natural curve of the neck.  Cervical range of motion stretches can be used to help lengthen shortened neck muscles as well.

A final note for all you Android users, there is an Android App available that will warn you when you are engaged in improper postural habits while using your Android device.  Look for “Text Neck Indicator: A Mobile App” in your Android store.

-Richard M Soukup, DC