Do You Suffer From “Text Neck”?

Text neck, also known as forward head posture is a modern day ailment caused by the prolonged use of cellphones, tablets and other handheld devices. After looking down at our screens it can result in forwarded position and rounded shoulders. This chronic strain on the neck and upper spine can lead to various posture problems and musculoskeletal Issues.

How text neck can contribute to posture problems

Forward Head Posture: Text neck causes the head to protrude forward from it’s natural alignment putting excessive strain on the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the neck.

Rounded shoulders: As individuals hunch over their devices, the shoulders tend to roll forward creating a rounded posture. This can weaken the muscles of the upper back and shoulders and contribute to further postural imbalances.

Thoracic Kyphosis: Prolonged forward head posture can also cause an increased curvature in the upper back, known as thoracic kyphosis. This results in the rounded upper back appearance which exacerbates poor posture.

Nerve Impingement: Prolonged compression of the nerves in the upper back can lead to nerve impingement, causing symptoms such as tingling, numbness or weakness in the arms and hands.

Degenerative Changes: Chronic test neck can accelerate degenerative changes in the cervical spine, including disc compression, herniation and osteoarthritis further exacerbating posture problems and potentially leading to long-term complications.

These are just a few issues that could arise from prolonged use of devices. If you are experiencing pain it is important to be evaluated.