Mobile phones.... A modern day pain in the neck?

BURLINGTON, Ontario - May 20, 2015 - PRLog -- The luxuries of the mobile phone that modern day technology has provided us with (despite the fact that they are absolutely stimulating and exciting), come with a risk of serious and permanent health problems.

Normal neck curvature is designed to distribute the weight of the head amongst seven cervical spine vertebrae in the neck.

“Text Neck”, a new age global epidemic resulting in chronic headaches, upper back, shoulder and neck pain as well as increased spinal curvature, is the result of excessive forward head flexion due to cell phone use.  This will often result in cervical spine degeneration (due to an imbalance in weight distribution and centre of gravity) and will in turn, cause changes in the cervical spine, curve, supporting ligaments, tendons, and musculature, as well as the bony segments, commonly causing postural change.

Imagine carrying a brick with your arms bent for an hour vs with your arms stretched out? Which is harder?  The more extended the head, the more pressure and weight on the neck and hence more pain and damage.

According to Dr.Hansraj, the chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitative Medicine, “Text neck and neck strain can cause postural abnormalities and changing growth patterns, especially in the upper spine. The largest risk group is children and teenagers who are heavy users of smartphones and handheld gaming devices.”  The same applies to avid computer users.  Sitting in front of the computer tends to have the head tilt forward and the shoulders roll forward. This results in the hyper extension of the neck and upper back muscles that results in an imbalance of upper body.

The same applies to avid computer users.  Sitting in front of the computer tends to have the head tilt forward and the shoulders roll forward. This results in the hyper extension of the neck and upper back muscles that results in an imbalance of upper body.

Among the chief complaints associated with Text Neck are pain felt in the neck, shoulder, back, arm, fingers, hands, wrists and elbows, as well as headaches and numbness and tingling of the upper extremities.

Following is a list of the serious damage that can be caused in TEXT NECK is left untreated:

- Flattening of the Spinal Curve  (straightening or reversal of the natural curvature in the neck.)
- Onset of Early Arthritis
- Spinal Degeneration
- Spinal Misalignment
- Disc Herniation
- Disc Compression
- Muscle Damage
- Nerve Damage
- Loss of Lung Volume Capacity
- Gastrointestinal Problems

A few tips that will help reverse text neck:

1) Set time limits for electronic usage

2) Take breaks and stretch if working on a computer for many hours a day.

3) Hold your phone at a proper reading angle

4) Use a text dictation program if you have one

5) Stretch your neck

6) Go through neck ranges of motion

7) See a chiropractor and get adjusted

8) Or see your physiotherapist for proper manual therapy and exercises

PhysioMax Wellness in Burlington Ontario provides various tips and treatments for every clients needs. Healthcare providers from this clinic are very knowledgeable about the treatments needed by patients in order to help them recover from their injuries. This multidisciplinary clinic in Burlington Ontario provides Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Massage Therapy in order to tend to any kind of injuries. Please contact us or visit www.physiomaxwellness.ca for more detailed information.