INDUSTRY INSIGHT
DO YOU HAVE TECHNOLOGY NECK?
SPONSORED CONTENT
ARE CELL PHONES
AND COMPUTERS A
PAIN IN THE NECK?
S
mart phones, iPads, laptops. It seems today everybody has
one of each and they’re on them almost all the time. Have you
noticed people using their phones while at dinner? You can’t
go get coffee without bumping into someone in line who is
on their phone. Even at the grocery store you can find people passing
time on their phones.
Years of poor posture while using these devices can and will cause
detrimental change to curvatures in the spine. It starts slowly but
you will notice the head begins to shift forward with respect to the
rest of the body. Here is a quick test you can do on your loved ones:
when you turn them to the side, does his/her ear line up directly with
their shoulder? If not, the slow changes to spinal curves have already
started.
The longer that you use the electronic devices, the worse the
problem and poor posture become. Eventually you develop what’s
now labeled, “Technology Neck” or “Text Neck”. Symptoms of Text
Neck include pain in the upper back and shoulders. This is the area
of a big, broad muscle called the trapezius. This muscle starts at the
base of the skull and when strained and overstressed can lead to
painful tension headaches and upper neck soreness. If left untreated,
symptoms may progress to numbness and tingling in the arms and
hands. If left untreated an abnormal spinal position and muscle stress
can develop into osteoarthritis, bone spurs, and possibly degenerated
discs in the neck.
The human head weighs on average 10-12 pounds. As you tilt your
head forward and down, gravitational forces dramatically increase
the weight of your head on your neck. For example, tiling your head
forward 30 degrees to look at your phone increases the weight on
your neck to 40 pounds! A 60-degree tilt of the head is the equivalent
of 60 pounds on the neck. Can you imagine how your neck would
feel if you strapped a 60-pound weight to your head and held it in a
fixed position for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for several years? This
will cause tight muscles, headaches, neck pain and eventual arm
symptoms.
In a world where technology is constantly present, how can you
prevent this from happening to you? The best way to reduce neck
pain is to maintain good posture while using any type of device.
Sitting up straight with the head looking almost straight ahead and
keeping the device at eye level will take stress off your neck muscles.
This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Timothy B. Skraitz.
Dr. Timothy B. Skraitz DC has been in practice for 34 years and has extensive post-
doctoral certifications including MUA (Manipulation Under Anesthesia), Whiplash
Associated Disorders, Childhood Developmental Disorders, and Brain Injuries and
Rehabilitation. Dr. Skraitz is a Board Certified Chiropractic Functional Neurologist
and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management Practitioners. For
more information about his practice please visit www.skraitzchiropractic.com or call
724.746.1740.
Instead of sitting on the couch with your laptop, try sitting with
the laptop on the kitchen table. If you are using your smartphone,
prop your elbows on your torso so that your head is in a more
neutral position. Another great idea is to time yourself when using
a computer or cell phone. You should have a change in position/
posture every 15 minutes. The changes don’t need to be dramatic.
Just taking a few minutes to stretch the neck, upper back, and arms
will help reduce muscle tension.
Lastly, if you are experiencing symptoms of Tech or Text Neck,
call our office to make an appointment to have an evaluation of
your spine and muscles. The doctors of Skraitz Chiropractic can
recommend a program of treatment and correction to alleviate and
possibly reverse the damaging effects of this condition as well as
many others. Call us today to schedule your appointment.
RESTORING HEALTH NATURALLY
WITH OVER 30 YEARS COMBINED CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
We specialize in the treatment of:
• Headaches/Backaches
• Sports Injuries
• Pregnancy and Postnatal related
conditions
• Infant and Pediatric
conditions including
Torticollis, Colic,
and Acid Reflux
• Advanced Brain Based
Concussion Treatment
• Whiplash injuries
CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
NOW SEEING PATIENTS ON SATURDAY MORNINGS
724.746.1740 Skraitzchiropractic.com
COME SEE OUR NEW LOCATION!
2476 Washington Rd, Canonsburg
PETERS TOWNSHIP
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F E B R UA RY / M A RC H 2018
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