What is Text Neck?

Neck pain cam arise for a number of different reasons. Anything from bad posture to a car accident can cause varying degrees of neck pain. Recently, a major issue causing neck pain is “tech neck” or “text neck.”  These are terms used to describe the neck pain that comes from the poor posture of slouching which accompanies looking down at your phone or other electronic device for long periods of time.

Tilting the neck forward 15 degrees places about 27 pounds of force on the neck, so you can imagine how looking down at your smart phone can directly affect your spine. If this is not managed, text neck can lead to headaches, neck pain and stiffness, and can affect the shoulders, the pain radiating down into the shoulders and arms. 

When it comes to tech neck, prevention is the key. If you can take care to avoid putting extra strain on your neck while you are on your mobile devices, you can avoid injuries. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind while scrolling on your phone. 

• Take breaks, avoid excessive use.
• Position the device to lessen slouching or poor posture. 
• Avoid repetitive movements, for example typing for long periods.
• Avoid holding your heavy smart phone or device in one hand for long periods.

Physical therapy can be effective in treating the stress or injury related to tech neck.  Physical therapists can improve your necks strength, mobility, flexibility, and range of motion, helping reduce neck pain. This can be accomplished through a variety of modalities they are trained in. Your therapist will start with a one-on-one evaluation and determine the best course of treatment for you. Exercises and stretches are usually a key part of treatment, in combination with massage, ultrasound technology, laser therapy, or whatever else the therapist may deem beneficial. 

Here at Reddy Care Physical and Occupational therapy, our therapists are experts at diagnosing and treating neck pain. To find out more about our different therapy options and how physical therapy may benefit you, give us a call today to schedule a consultation!

Reddy Care Great Neck (Great Neck Physical Therapy): 516-829-0030
Reddy Care Farmingdale (Farmingdale Physical Therapy): 516-420-2900
North Shore Towers: 718-224-8480
Woodbury: 516-367-1111
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030
*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.