Eliminating Poor Posture and Tech Neck
By Donna Stark
Is your child complaining of neck pain? Are they constantly looking down at their electronic devices? Although there are plenty of advantages that come from using phones, tablets, and laptops, it's fair to expect a disadvantage or two as well. However, the disadvantages that come with their use can be pretty significant if you don't pay attention to them. If you or a loved one is struggling with neck pain and poor posture, it's time to wake up because there could be some serious damage to your body heading your way.
The Damaging Effects of Tech Neck
Spending hours and hours hunched over your laptop or looking down at your phone can increase the risk of suffering from tech neck. Tech neck occurs when the head is held in a forward position and excess pressure and strain are placed on the spine. Take a look at some of the damaging effects to your body that come from it.
- Irritated, compressed, and damaged nerves
- Strained, tense, and stiff muscles
- Significant joint damage
- Frequent headaches or migraines
Who Is at Risk?
Most people who use portable electronic devices are at risk for tech neck and poor posture, but you don't need a handheld device for them to occur. You can still suffer from pain and injury if your posture is out of whack while watching TV or playing a video game. Spending just a couple of hours a day doing not paying attention to your posture is all that is needed for pain and damage to begin.
What Can You Do?
The best strategy for reducing everyone's risk of tech neck is to take some simple precautionary steps while using the electronic devices in your home. Here are some suggestions from your local chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic.
- Posture - Make sure all electronic devices are in front of you and at eye level. Maintain a neutral position with your head and keep your shoulders pulled back and relaxed.
- Breaks - It's important to take a break every 30 minutes or so while using a computer, laptop, or other electronic device. Stand up, stretch, and get the wiggles out.
- Boundaries - Set boundaries for your children and their devices. Make sure they are getting more physical activity in their days than they are screen time.
Eliminating Poor Posture and Tech Neck
No matter how much enjoyment everyone gets from their devices, the damaging effects of poor posture and tech neck are nothing to make light of! So, do your best to reduce the risk of that happening. Incorporate the suggestions above into your daily routine and say goodbye to pain once and for all!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Manchester, N.H.