Do you know someone who suffers from 'text neck'? It could be you

‘Text-neck’ has been showing up in physiotherapy and rehab clinics across Canada. Chiropractors, physiotherapists and many other health professionals are seeing this “modern postural dysfunction” in people of all ages.

Looking down for long periods of time to read/send texts, scroll a news article, or play a game on your phone forces strain on the neck muscles and spinal joints in order to hold the head up. The neck muscles are designed to support the weight of our head (for most people that’s 10-12lbs) in a neutral/upright position. With every inch forward our head shifts, it adds 10lbs of force that our neck must use to keep our head from falling!

Doctors are seeing signs of premature degeneration of the spine decades younger than would typically be expected. The wear and tear that is typically seen in older adults, or those in occupations that require keeping the head bent forward for extended periods of time (think manicurist, dentist, mechanic), is now being seen in teenagers and young adults. 

‘Text-neck’ can lead to pain in the neck, upper back, shoulders and arms. It can also contribute to tension headaches. Poor posture develops over time and developing better posture involves changing bad habits into good ones. Remind your children, friends, coworkers if you notice they are neglecting their posture, and have them do the same for you. If you think your pain might be related to your posture, book a comprehensive assessment with a Lifemark physiotherapist and/or chiropractor.

To find a location near you: www.lifemark.ca/locations