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Technology-induced cervical strain is commonly referred to as text neck or tech neck. It is a musculoskeletal condition that is caused by prolonged use of personal handheld devices such as mobile phones and tablets. Text neck can also be caused by the use of computers and laptops. It is most commonly found in the young population, especially teenagers.
According to a study, almost 73% of university students and 64.7% of people who work from home are affected by severe neck pain that affect their productivity. The condition is now considered a new epidemic because of its widespread prevalence among the general public. Tech neck or Text neck can be managed effectively if diagnosed early. Experiencing symptoms of tech neck gives you a sign that it’s time to consult a pain specialist. As the symptoms are not permanent and pain treatment from an expert medical facility can restore your comfort and mobility.
Text neck, or phone neck, is primarily caused by tilting the head forward and downward for extended periods of time. The posture is usually seen while using a phone, laptop or computer. The straining posture creates extra tension in the cervical vertebra (neck spine) and associated structures. If you are having periodic or constant headache, neck pain, or shoulder pain, then you might be suffering from technology-induced cervical strain. In this blog, we will explain what is tech neck or text neck syndrome, its symptoms, complications, and treatment.
The term tech neck was coined by Dr. Dean L. Fishman in 2008. Tech neck or computer neck originates from the forward head position (FHP). Initially, people complained of neck pain due to continuous texting but now the term has expanded to all personal and handheld gadgets.
Cell phone neck or text neck occurs primarily due to incorrect posture. The normal physiological posture of humans is designed to defy gravity and put less strain on the spine. However, forward leaning of the neck causes increased cervical spine strain. In normal posture, the amount of weight of the human head is 10 to 12 pounds; however, during forward head position, it increases to 50 to 60 pounds. This increase in weight directly affects the spine and causes strain on your neck. As a result symptoms of headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, upper back pain, and lower back pain may start to develop.
If left untreated, the condition can escalate, and further complications may develop, such as neurological pain, muscular weakness and limited mobility.
According to a study the symptoms of computer neck syndrome are not very pronounced in the early stages or during adolescence and childhood. But as the age progresses, they might worsen, leading to discomfort and can also compromise mobility in neck and upper back. Computer neck syndrome is characterized by the following symptoms.
There are several implications associated with the symptoms of the tech neck. Some of the most common effects of tech neck pain on daily life are listed below.
The musculoskeletal neck pain hinders the routine daily activities of the patients. Many people feel constant pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
Another complication associated with the tech neck posture is tension in the muscles, leading to headaches originating from the base of the skull and radiating to the temples and behind the eyes.
Patients feel increased neck stiffness in the morning and difficulty in rotating the neck.
Constant tech neck posture can cause nerve compression in the cervical spine, leading to symptoms of neuropathy like, tingling, and burning sensations in the neck, shoulder, and arms.
Severe tech neck over a prolonged time can result in kyphosis or hunched back, which affects the upper back leading to development of round shoulders, and a tilted head.
The breathing capacity of the lungs is also affected by a hunched forward posture. This may lead to shallow breaths and sometimes provoke anxiety.
The technology syndrome decreases quality of life, daily routine, increases fatigue, and leads to poor sleep.
Technology neck is not only caused by excessive usage of phones and tablets, but it can also be caused by working for long hours on computers. It has been seen that many corporate workers, IT developers, and other professionals who work on screens work uninterrupted for long hours. This, when combines with poor ergonomics and bad posture, can lead to the development of texting neck syndrome.
The most common risk factors include,
Tech neck is primarily caused by cell phone posture. Some of the most common postures that can lead to tech neck are listed below.
Texting neck syndrome is a progressive condition. It usually starts with mild symptoms that might elevate to severe tech neck, causing immobility, psychological issues, and disability. Mild to moderate tech neck syndrome is associated with dull ache, mild stiffness, and headache, while severe cases show much more intense symptoms.
Severe tech neck causes sharp, stabbing pain, muscle spasms, severe headaches, numbness and tingling. Further, it may also cause nerve compression, spinal degeneration, disc slip, arthritis, and psychological issues. Tech neck can cause the sufferer to be more irritable and uncomfortable. Its symptoms may affect performance, productivity as well.
Broader neck syndromes refer to a group of musculoskeletal, nerve, and postural conditions associated with the use of devices such as mobiles, tablets, computers, and televisions. The most common conditions included in broader neck syndromes are text neck, tech neck, turtle neck some other conditions that come under Broader neck syndrome are listed below.
The treatment for phone neck pain revolves around managing the symptoms while focusing on posture correction.
According to a study, the most effective way of managing tech neck syndrome is through exercise for postural alignment to improve forward head posture. The exercise may include protocols for flexibility, strength and mobility.
Other treatment options may include:
For further reference explore the modern pain treatments at Pain Treatment MD where qualified Pain Management experts are ready to heal your way towards pain relief by thoroughly addressing the underlying issues.
Certain postures lead to chronic neck pain because of the forward head posture (FHP), which causes increased strain on the cervical spine. This increased pressure leads to muscle tension and musculoskeletal pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm.
Office setups can greatly contribute to computer neck syndrome. If the screen is too high or too far, it might lead to a strenuous neck position. Other factors include long working hours, no or limited breaks for the employees, and a stressful work environment.
Most people hunch forward when using cell phones for long hours. The forward positioning of the head is associated with increased pressure on the neck and cervical spine. This increased pressure causes muscle spasm, musculoskeletal pain, and nerve compression.
Tech neck can last for a few days to several weeks. Mild to moderate cases often resolve within days when posture is corrected; however, if left untreated, they may lead to chronic pain and symptoms that might take several months to recover.
Tech neck is a rising epidemic among the young population. With the widespread use of gadgets such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers, many people are suffering from this condition. It has been estimated that almost 70% of the population suffers from tech neck syndrome. This pandemic is growing among children, which is alarming.
The prolonged use of devices leads to incorrect posture and forward leaning of the head. This impacts the cervical spine, which connects the head to the rest of the body. This pressure can result in neck pain, reduced mobility, and headache. It is necessary to consult specialist who can assess and diagnose the condition for effective management.
Chronic cases of tech neck syndrome not only impact the body, but it also affects the psychology of the patients, especially young kids and teenagers. the constant discomfort can lead to isolation, irritability, lower grades, and decreased productive time. This is why we recommend to consult a pain treatment expert at the earliest if you see above mentioned symptoms in your kids and teenagers or even yourself. Pain Treatment MD is one such facility that can thoroughly understand your condition and manages the condition with the needed approaches for pain treatment. Contact PTMD today and take a leap toward your overall well-being that ultimately improves your quality of life.
