We can hardly imagine our lives without smartphones and other screen gadgets. Yet, we often overlook the health issues that have come along with them. One of the most concerning is the so-called “tech neck” syndrome. This condition leads to degeneration of the spine, particularly in the cervical region.
Medical professionals introduced the term “tech neck” in 2008 when they began receiving complaints from patients about health deterioration linked to mobile phone use, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The term “tech neck” refers to poor body posture, where the upper spine remains in an unnatural position for extended periods. With the chin jutting forward for hours, the neck becomes strained, and the arms are extended, leading to headaches and back pain for smartphone users. Ultimately, this can result in degenerative changes in the spinal structures for avid smartphone users.
Other consequences of tech neck include muscle spasms, fluctuations in blood pressure, joint inflammation, arthritis, pinched nerves, herniated discs, and metabolic disruptions. This syndrome often contributes to the development of a double chin and neck wrinkles.
Excessive “hanging out” on phones can lead to such severe issues that surgical intervention may be required. It’s not surprising; tilting the head at a 45-degree angle exerts a pressure equivalent to 23 kilograms on the neck, while a 60-degree tilt increases that load to 30 kilograms.
“Smartphone Addicts” More Likely to Suffer from Poor Nutrition, Loneliness, and Aggression
Sociologists have found that more than a quarter of the world’s population spends over 7 hours a day glued to their smartphones, while only four percent of users spend less than an hour on their devices. Even more time is spent in front of computer screens. With many workers transitioning to remote work, this screen time has increased significantly.
Data from the expert group Data.ai reveals that in 2022, people worldwide spent around 4.1 trillion hours on their smartphones, which is equivalent to 470 million years.
A 2017 study by Turkish researchers showed that university students who are dependent on their phones are more likely to suffer from poor nutrition, loneliness, and aggression.
Kavita Trivedi, an adjunct professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Texas Southwestern (USA), reminded us that humans are bipedal creatures. Our bodies are not designed to look down for extended periods while simultaneously putting extra pressure on the cervical spine.
The expert emphasized that to maintain health while using smartphones, one should sit up straight, avoid tilting the head, and keep the shoulders back. Feet should be flat on the floor, and the phone should be at eye level. It’s also important to periodically stand up and walk around (preferably outdoors) to improve circulation and give the eyes a break.
As Kavita Trivedi concluded, our phones and tablets are valuable tools, so there’s no need to give them up. The key is to prevent tech neck syndrome before it strikes. And if it does, seeking help from a specialist is essential.