A new medical phenomenon is beginning to become more prominent in our society; text neck syndrome.  This new ailment, what some might think sounds like a joke, is a real cause for concern for our society.  With the advent of smartphones, many in our society who utilize these devices are beginning to exhibit the painful symptoms associated with the diagnosis:

  • chronic headaches
  • upper back pain
  • shoulder pain
  • neck pain, and 
  • increased curvature of the spine

It starts from keeping ones posture in what we typically see of teenagers who are busily typing or playing on their smartphones.  While this may not seem like that big of a deal, the day in and day poor posture puts incredible amounts of stress on the neck muscles but, more importantly on the vertebrae that are so crucial for neck support.  The Washington Post summarizes the strain on ones neck like this:

The human head weighs about a dozen pounds. But as the neck bends forward and down, the weight on the cervical spine begins to increase. At a 15-degree angle, this weight is about 27 pounds, at 30 degrees it’s 40 pounds, at 45 degrees it’s 49 pounds, and at 60 degrees it’s 60 pounds…Can’t grasp the significance of 60 pounds? Imagine carrying an 8-year-old around your neck several hours per day. 

That’s right.  Keeping your head at the angle that most people do to utilize their phone is the equivalent of carrying an 8-year-old around your neck.  There are cases of children as young as 14 years old having this diagnosis. 

According to The Wireless Association, texting statistics have increased astronomically.  In June 2006 in the USA, there were 12.5 billion texts sent monthly.  By June 2011, that number grew to 196.9 billion.  Clearly, this problem isn’t going anywhere.  So, what is one to do?  Well, the first thing is to be aware of your posture and break the habit of bad posture.  According to a study posted on self.com:

Two control groups practiced a set of four specific exercises and then also received chiropractic adjustment.  One group was asked to change their viewing angle of the phone as well, so they could comfortably see it, while holding it at a 90 to 70 degree angle from the floor.  “Both groups improved, but the group that changed the angle did much better,” explains Dr. Fishman.  “That was apparently the most important element.”

He also gives a set of exercises that can be done to help with treatment of the diagnosis as well as there is an app to help warn you if your posture begins to go back towards the dangerous angle associated with the diagnosis.  However, like in all medical cases, be sure to consult your own physician if you feel that you have “text-neck” before instituting any treatment program.