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Tech Neck: How Technology Affects Your Posture
- SalinasPT
What is Tech Neck?
In today’s digital age, technology has become an integral part of our lives, from smartphones and laptops to tablets and gaming consoles. While these technological advancements bring convenience and connectivity, they have also ushered in a new set of health concerns, particularly related to our spinal posture. In this article, we’ll cover the phenomenon of “tech-neck,” exploring how your daily interaction with technology impacts our spinal health and what steps you can take to mitigate its effects.
Understanding the Posture Epidemic
Tech-neck: Also known as text neck, is a posture-related issue caused by frequent and prolonged use of handheld devices and incorrect posture. When we hunch over our screens for extended periods, it places significant strain on the neck and spine, leading to a range of potential health problems.
Common Examples:
- Sitting Slouched at a Desk
- Leaning Forward to See a Monitor
- Scrolling Through Your Phone For Extended Periods
- Reading on a Tablet
- Using a Laptop in Bed
The Impact on Spinal Alignment
Using technology, like smartphones and laptops, often involves titling the head downwards and rounding the shoulders, creating an unnatural and detrimental alignment of the spine. Over time, poor posture can result in discomfort, stiffness, and even chronic pain. The discomfort or pain is a signal from your body telling you it’s out of alignment. Extended periods in this position can lead to further complications down the road.
Here’s a visual example of how the weight of your head increases drastically as you begin to lean forward, straining your muscles:
Image sourced from NYP
Common Symptoms
Tech-neck can manifest through various symptoms, including neck pain, headaches, upper back pain, and reduced flexibility in the neck and shoulders. In severe cases, it may contribute to early-onset arthritis and spinal degeneration.
Mindful Device Usage
The first step in combating tech-neck is to raise awareness about our device usage habits. Encourage regular breaks from screens and limit the time spent on handheld devices. Utilize reminders or apps that track screen time to ensure you take necessary breaks to rest your neck and spine.
Ergonomic Work Stations
For those who work on computers for extended periods, investing in an ergonomic workstation can make a world of difference. Use an adjustable chair and desk that allows you to maintain an upright posture with your eyes level to the screen. Position your hips against the back of your chair, and aim to keep your forearms and thighs parallel to the floor. Consider using a wireless keyboard and mouse that allow you to position your arms at a comfortable angle.
The Importance Of Exercising and Stretching
Incorporating regular exercises and stretches into your routine can significantly alleviate the impact of tech-neck. Strengthening the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and upper back can help support better posture and reduce strain on your spine.
Posture Correcting Exercises:
Make a habit of taking short breaks during your tech sessions to perform quick workouts that target your neck and back muscles. Here are the exercises we recommend to help maintain your posture.
1. Cat-Cow: a Dynamic stretch that increases flexibility in the spine and helps alleviate tension. Begin on your hands and knees, arch your back upward like a cat, then drop your belly towards the floor like a cow.
2. Superman Pose: Strengthens the lower back and glutes, encouraging better posture. Lie face down on the ground and lift your arms, chest, and legs off the floor, squeezing your back muscles.
3. Childs Pose: A relaxing yoga stretch that elongates the spine and eases tension in the back muscles. Kneel on the floor, sit back on your heels, and reach your arms forward, stretching your back.
4. Seated Row: Targets the upper back and shoulders, helping to counteract rounded shoulders. Use resistance bands or a cable machine while seated, and pull handles towards your chest, squeezing the shoulder blades together.
5. Wall Angles: A corrective exercise to improve shoulder mobility and alignment, which affects spinal posture. Stand with your back against a wall, raise your arms overhead, and slide them down the wall while keeping your back and arms in contact with the surface.
*Images Sourced From HEP2Go
Posture Correcting Gadgets and Apps
Innovative gadgets and apps are available that can assist in improving posture and reducing tech-neck. From wearable posture correctors to mobile apps that send posture reminders, these tools can be valuable in maintaining good spinal alignment.
The key to seeing improvements in spinal posture is to be proactive about it. Incorporate exercise into your routine 2-3 times per week and focus on maintaining proper form to get the most benefit. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns about your spine, our team can help educate you on the movement patterns and exercises that address your condition.
Conclusion
While technology has become a central part of our daily lives, it’s essential to recognize and address the impact it can have on our spinal posture. By adopting mindful device usage, investing in ergonomic workstations, incorporating regular exercises and strengthening, we can safeguard our spinal health and prevent the development of painful conditions. Taking proactive steps today will ensure a healthier, more comfortable tomorrow in our digital world. Remember, balance is key – embrace technology, but never compromise on your well-being.
In good health,
The Salinas Team
