Chiropractic Straightens Unsightly, Painful Tech Neck
By Chris Brown
We've all felt the pain in the neck from long texting conversations or hours at a less-than-ergonomic desk. What you may not know is that, over time, that pain in the shoulders and neck can become chronic. A condition nicknamed "tech neck" is becoming increasingly common, leading to medical problems and, most noticeably, an unnaturally forward leaning neck. Catching tech neck early, and visiting a chiropractor, is key to starting the path to recovery.
The Increasingly Common Tech Neck Syndrome
While tech neck is not a formal medical term, it is an aptly named phenomenon for a thoracic hyperkyphosis that results, typically, from extended hours looking downward on a phone or computer. This neck kyphosis (or rounding of the back) is expected to explode in commonality in the coming years. A 2020 study found that 95 percent of young adults own a smart phone and spend an average of 3-4 hours on it daily. This extended downward viewing of cell phones will inevitably lead to a large increase of middle-aged tech neck sufferers.
Why It Is Important to Correct Tech Neck
Stopping and working to reverse tech neck early is key to preventing permanent damage and pain. This is because tech neck is a chronically progressive condition that tends to worsen without treatment. Tech neck's unnatural forward head position can cause shoulder and neck pain, headaches, spinal degeneration, early onset arthritis, and potentially permanent, and unsightly, postural changes. The curved, forward lean from the shoulders worsens the condition exponentially as it progresses. This is because the more forward the head position, the more weight is relatively placed upon the neck and spine. For example, at straight up (zero-degree) posture, the head weighs only 10-12 pounds. However, when the neck leans just 50 degrees, the relative weight on the neck rises to 50 pounds.
While certain habitual changes can prevent tech neck from worsening, it often requires intervention from a medical professional, like a chiropractor, to see any dramatic improvements.
How Chiropractic Corrects Tech Neck
Chiropractic helps correct tech neck, and other postural issues, by fixing spinal dysfunctions that result from forward neck posture. In this way, the spine is repositioned to its natural curve that allows the support muscles to rebalance. Alongside changes to bad posture habits, the chiropractor's spinal corrections can help the neck muscles reform to support a naturally upright position.
Stop by one of The Joint Chiropractic's over 600 nationwide locations to achieve a straighter, more confident posture today. Tech neck can be treated by one of The Joint's chiropractors during an affordable, insurance-free, spinal adjustment session. The Joint welcomes walk-ins during its extended night and weekend hours, so there is no excuse not to get your tech neck evaluated by a doctor.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Tulsa, Okla.