It does not matter whether you call it neck pain, tech neck, or text neck. It is a real problem that needs a total solution immediately.
When you tilt your head forward, the head's weight becomes less supported by the spinal column below it. Therefore, the neck will work harder than usual to keep the head's full weight of about 12 pounds. So, it causes more pressure on the joints, spinal ligaments, and muscles. As a result, it becomes a reason for early degenerative processes to happen, leading to persisting pain.
In this day and age, where technology is ubiquitous, we are continually using gadgets and other technological tools. Cellphones, tablets, computers, and laptops are here to stay. Therefore, we need to come up with better ways to use technology to our advantage.
Technology overuse, believe it or not, can cause various health issues. One such danger is that it can put our necks at a higher risk of undue harm and pain. Here are six smart ideas that will help you avoid the risk of developing neck pain and reduce your discomfort if you are already feeling it.
Whenever you take short breaks, try to incorporate different simple movements such as a gentle neck range of motion movements or shoulder rolls. These can be concise and delicate actions that can add up to relax your neck muscles and relieve neck pain.
Choosing a chair with a headrest can be a good thing to have. Resting your head on a headrest can encourage you to hold your head as upright as often as possible.
The possibilities for this can be so many. For one thing, you can use a headset to talk on the phone, and you can also click the speakerphone option for hands-free operation. Other options would include: talk-to-text alternative offered by many devices, and don’t forget using a phone holder so you can elevate the device as close to your eye-level as possible.
Using any or all of these choices can be beneficial. The hands-free option will significantly reduce your neck from any neck flexion (looking down) and allow you to use the gadgets easier (at eye level to minimize stiff neck or neck pain).
If you work on a desk job or do a lot of work riding a vehicle, you can certainly use technology to your advantage by setting up reminders (periodic) to take a quick break. Be sure to rest and do some stretching. Give your neck a few gentle exercises to relieve or prevent neck pain.
Try to listen to your body. It means if you feel any pain in your back, shoulders, neck, and hands, then it means you need to take some rest. In other words, paying attention to these warning signs will help prevent neck pain and other health issues from occurring.
If you feel chronic neck pain or any other potentially linked symptoms, then speaking to a professional will be to your advantage. They have a thorough understanding of how the neck works and how to find lasting relief from various pain types. Upper cervical chiropractors focus on the proper alignment of the top vertebrae in the neck.
Sure, neck pain can be the most obvious result of poor posture linked to technology use. There are many other symptoms that most people may not realize are connected to the neck. Here are some tech-neck related symptoms:
Spinal misalignment in the upper neck (called the upper cervical spine) can change the brainstem's regular cerebrospinal fluid drainage, blood flow, and neurological function. If any of these three happens, you can expect an onset or intensified migraines and headaches.
When a neck problem happens, there is a high possibility that the rest of the spinal column would twist, turn, and compensate for a head that is not in a neutral position. Therefore, it is not uncommon to have sensations of pain whenever you move.
Due to compensations, the delicate parts of your upper, middle, and lower back will experience muscle spasms and other health issues resulting from a neck problem.
There are nerves from the neck that course through your shoulders. If your neck becomes compromised, shoulder pain is very likely because they connect with nerves, muscles, and tender tissues.
When your eyes stare at a screen for prolonged periods, it can cause eye strain. Eye strain symptoms include blurry vision, tired eyes, being sleepy, and eventually headaches.
When the nerve roots that exit from your cervical spine are irritated, it would lead to numbness, arm pain, and tingling that can spread down into the fingers. Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome have neck issues, contributing to the tingling and pain in their hands and wrists.
If the upper cervical alignment becomes compromised, many people would also experience jaw pain. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain can even cause earaches. It may not seem obvious, but the uppermost vertebra in the neck, the atlas bone, positions very close to the jaw joints on either side of the head.
Upper cervical chiropractors have a goal of restoring normal upper cervical alignment. Doing so will allow the body to function at its peak. Also, various benefits are unique to upper cervical chiropractic care:
As advancement in technology becomes more widespread in our daily lives, it is essential to ensure that you are maintaining your neck and spine healthy and well-aligned. Try upper cervical chiropractic to avoid tech-related neck injury and pain.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
