Do you have ‘text neck’ posture?

by Stepy — December 23, 2016

Pretty much everybody has a smart phone nowadays. These devices can be very engrossing and many people refer to those glued to their smart phones as ‘zombies.’

Health experts are now suspecting that overuse of smart phones can lead to poor posture, as they can tend to make us hunch over. It may even change the posture of your neck, in what doctors are calling ‘text neck.’

New York spine surgeon Kenneth Hansraj conducted a study to test the effects of a forward head tilted posture on the cervical spine. His notes, published in Surgical Technology International has gained attention in the health community.

Dr. Hansraj explained his findings:

“The weight seen by the spine dramatically increases when flexing the head forward at varying degrees. Loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine leads to incrementally increased stresses about the cervical spine. These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries.

While it is nearly impossible to avoid the technologies that cause these issues, individuals should make an effort to look at their phones with a neutral spine and avoid spending hours each day hunched over.”

Remember, your head is heavier than you think. The average head weighs about 12 pounds. Spending a lot of time with your head tilted down looking at your phone can put a lot of pressure on your cervical spine.

In his study, Hansraj found that when you bend your head forward 15 degrees, the force of the head increases from 12 pounds to 27 pounds. At a 45 degree tilt, your head causes 49 pounds of force, and 60 pounds at 60 degrees.

According to Hansraj, ‘text neck’ can cause significant wear on the spine and could lead to early spinal degeneration. Tilting your head often can lead to inflammation, which can lead to pinched nerves, strains, and can even change the natural curve of the neck.

Dr. Hansraj also wrote the following about phone use in children:

“The problem is really profound in young people. With this excessive stress in the neck, we might start seeing young people needing spine care. I would really like to see parents showing more guidance.”

Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.

DON’T FORGET to sign up for our weekly newsletter to get our latest articles, updates, free recipes and giveaways.