The cervical spine, more commonly known as your neck, is made up of seven small vertebrae. It is the most flexible and mobile part of your spine, making it so your head can move around. This flexibility also makes it more vulnerable to pain and damage. Tech neck is a common cause of neck pain.
Tech neck is a painful condition brought about by modern technology, specifically, the advent of laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Most of us spend a lot of our time throughout the day checking emails, looking at various social media platforms, and working on our computer screens. The problem is the hunchback slouch that commonly accompanies looking at these devices. This bending forward of your neck places a great deal of strain on your spine, causes a lot of tension in your shoulders, and creates upper back pain. The stiff neck and soreness can spread to your mid-back and even your arms. It can also cause bad headaches. Long term, tech neck, can cause structural issues in your neck and back, leading to bad posture.
It’s important to learn about tech neck and how to prevent it, especially as we are learning to use these electronic devices younger and younger. A simple tip to prevent tech neck is to start by raising your screen up higher. For example, bring your phone to eye level when you are looking at it, instead of bending over. Your chair that you use while on the computer can play a role n preventing tech neck as well, make sure you use an ergonomic chair. One last simple tip is to get up and move, take breaks, and set time limits. Don’t stay stationary staring at the screen for too long.
If you are experiencing neck pain or tech neck, physical therapy is a great resource to help you get some relief. Using techniques like ultrasound, manipulation, massage, and various stretches and exercise, a physical therapist can help you regain strength and flexibility in your neck. They can also assist you in making any ergonomic or lifestyle changes you may need to make to prevent reoccurrence.
Reddy Care Physical and Occupational therapy has an expert team ready to help you. Our therapist will design a personalized treatment plan based on your needs and symptoms and get you out of pain. To find out more about our treatments for tech neck, give us a call today!
At Reddy Care Physical and Occupational Therapy, we can get you set up with the right therapist for you. 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
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030
