You may be going about your daily life and find yourself wondering, “Why does my neck hurt?” Text neck could be the culprit.
While “text neck” isn’t an official medical term or diagnosis, this term has been commonly used to describe a forward-head posture that results from the prolonged use of digital devices. Naturally, your head should be in an upright position, directly over your shoulders. Forward head posture occurs when you tilt your chin down, causing your head to lean forward, out of alignment with your spine.
While scrolling, streaming and texting aren’t the direct cause of text neck syndrome and its associated symptoms, this habit often causes poor posture that can result in stress, strain, or injury to your neck and back – hence the term, text neck.
Forward head posture pushes you into a rounded, hunched position, which can also make your shoulders tense and lift toward your ears. When you are in this posture for prolonged periods, it puts strain on your neck’s muscles and bones.
Common symptoms of text neck include:
Headache. Along with the eyestrain and headaches that can happen from looking at screens too much, text neck can also cause muscle spasms that exacerbate headaches. Headaches could also be a result of referred pain from the neck.
Thankfully, text neck is completely preventable – here are some helpful tips to avoid it:
Practicing good posture and exercising regularly can help you make great strides in your text neck treatment. If you have muscle imbalances, a physical therapist may be able to work with you to correct these imbalances and help you overcome text neck. You can also do doctor-approved stretches and exercises at home to ensure you’re staying on top of your treatment.
The amount of time it takes for text neck to heal varies depending on the extent of the strain and your adherence to your treatment plan. Many people see improvements in their posture and symptoms within the four- to eight-week range with staying consistent in their treatment.
Cervicalgia (neck pain) affects a fair amount of people each year and require treatment. While it’s common, there are certain instances where you will want to talk to a doctor. If your neck pain persists for more than a week, is severe or is accompanied by additional serious symptoms, seek prompt medical attention for text neck treatment.
As specialists in all things neck and back pain, our experts at Citrus Spine Institute are here to help you recover from text neck syndrome. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take a step toward finding relief.