What The Heck Is Tech Neck?
“Tech neck” occurs when the cervical spine is tilted forward for extended periods of time while using computers or other technology.
Some may also refer to “text neck” which occurs with the head in the same forward position but occurring more specifically while texting. The average head weighs about ten pounds. It is important to maintain your head in a neutral position to avoid unnecessary strain on the muscles in the neck.
With the recent pandemic more and more of us are working from home in less-than-ideal working conditions, increasing our risk for tech neck. As muscles in the neck strain to hold our heads up, it places more pressure on the discs in the cervical spine. This could result in bulging of the discs, pinched nerves, or herniation of discs, which could result in more serious consequences.
With some studies indicating that as many as 85% of Americans are online daily, a concerted and conscientious effort will be needed to avoid tech neck.
- First, if you need to use technology on a regular basis, we recommend regular stretching and strengthening exercises to maintain the muscles in your neck. The ASAP website has some great exercises to get you started.
- Taking breaks periodically can help you avoid tech neck as well. This gives your muscles a chance to rest and allows you to stretch and change positions.
- Hold your phone or tablet closer to eye level to avoid slumping forward and putting excess strain on your neck.
- Sit in a comfortable chair with a headrest if possible. This can help you avoid improper head position.
If, despite the above, your tech neck persists, please schedule an appointment with Advanced Spine and Pain to look for treatment options and getting to the source of the issue. Rest assured that come heck or high water we will not rest until the pain associated with your tech neck has been taken offline.