Text neck is a modern, cervical spine condition characterized by neck pain and discomfort as a result of constantly looking down at a technological device for extended periods of time.Â
The symptoms include neck pain and soreness, upper back pain, shoulder pain and tightness, and occasionally, neurological symptoms if a cervical nerve becomes pinched.
An improper posture is the source of the pain and other symptoms related to text neck. The common slouching posture of text neck can add extra pounds of unnecessary pressure on the cervical spine which can begin causing degeneration and wear and tear of the structures surrounding the cervical spine. Text neck is much more common among young people. Considering the impact of the accumulative hours of bad posture in the time span of a year, is the reason teenagers are at a higher risk of developing text neck and further cervical spine complications. Furthermore, text neck in combination with a sedentary lifestyle can further aggravate the condition. Inactivity and an improper posture can cause other types of complications along the spine, such as back pain and muscle weakness, and if there’s a spinal misalignment, the nerves along the length of the spine may also become compressed.
Through chiropractic treatment, a chiropractor may use spinal adjustments and manual manipulations as well as recommend a specialized set of stretches and exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine. Spine health is important for anyone who wishes to maintain a healthy lifestyle and preventing injuries or complications to their health is the key to improving your well-being, most importantly during the growth of teenagers, in order to avoid text neck from developing.
Neck pain is one of the most common types of symptoms experienced by the general population. Cervical spine complications can frequently occur due to a variety of injuries or conditions, however, neck pain has become increasingly common. Since the introduction of smart phones, tablets, and other devices, many individuals spend too much of their time looking down and over time, damage or injury can occur, a condition known as text neck. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.