We have all been there, hooked up scrolling and looking into social media and screens for hours daily. But is this continuous hunching over the tech devices really relaxing?
On average, a teenager spends about 4-5 hours daily scrolling through social media and playing games on tech gadgets. Amidst the modern tech era, it's high time we alert and reduce this obsession for screens, just because what we might not realize is harmlessly spending and using electronic devices might lead to some severe consequences on your social, mental, and physical well-being.
Text Neck Syndrome is a term that describes pain and discomfort in the neck due to prolonged cervical flexion/bending that is sustained for a certain time period. This sustenance of neck bending leads to imbalances in the muscle activity that cause strain and impaired kinetic chains, hence leading to a variety of symptoms like:
- Neck pain: The constant forward head posture puts immense pressure on the cervical spine, leading to discomfort and pain.
- Headaches: The strain on the neck can cause tension headaches, which are characterized by a constant, dull ache.
- Hunched back and rounded shoulders
- Difficulty while doing neck movements
- Tingling and numbness
Why Text Neck?
Image Source –https:// www.physio-pedia.com
The human head weighs around 2-5 kg on average, this when bent downwards leads to extra weight of around 18-20 kg on the muscles causing them to strain and hence provide damage to the spine. If not taken proper care, it could result in chronic timeline conditions like:
- Disc degeneration: The discs in our spine act as cushions between the vertebrae. The increased pressure from text neck can cause these discs to wear down and bulge, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness.
- Early arthritis: The chronic inflammation caused by text neck can damage the cartilage in the joints of the spine, leading to early arthritis.
Putting an End to Text Neck Syndrome
The good part of this condition is it can be reversible and preventable with the right approach and analysis of the condition. To prevent here are some tips and tricks you can use:
- Consult a physiotherapist – A proper exercise regime with an appropriate approach to maximize the benefits of exercises and pain relief.
- Use ergonomic devices – Consider using a phone stand or hands-free devices to help you keep your head in a neutral position. Use proper back support and pillows for maintaining a good posture.
- Be mindful of your posture – When using and holding the device, try and hold it at eye level, sitting supported with a proper backrest chair and shoulders relaxed.
- Take frequent breaks – Look away from your screen every 20-30 minutes, to stretch your neck, shoulders, and spine. Move around, take a walk, and rest. Close your eyes for a few minutes and let them relax.
- Strengthen your neck muscles – Doing exercises regularly can help improve poor posture and train the neck muscles.
- Use of tech era with voice commands – Take advantage of voice commands and dictation features on your devices to reduce the need for constant manual input.
To sum it up, this is a future where we've seamlessly integrated preventive measures into our daily digital interactions. It's a future where we consciously choose how we use our devices, reducing the risks of Text Neck Syndrome and paving the way for a more comfortable, healthier existence in the digital age.
Before you close this tab, let’s take something with us – It's not about ditching our beloved gadgets; it's about navigating the digital landscape with awareness and making choices that contribute to our overall well-being.