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When Your Phone is the Pain in Your Neck

Updated: May 12, 2020


Forward head posture, or "text neck" as it is now being referred to, is becoming a major health issue in the United States. This syndrome refers to the neck and back pain that results from sitting with poor posture for an extended amount of time. This habit has become more common since we all started carrying smart phones everywhere we go, but it also affects those that work long hours at a desk or computer. Symptoms of text neck include:

  • Pain in the neck and/or upper back

  • Soreness or stiffness in the neck and/or shoulders

  • Chronic headaches

This pain is the result of improper weight distribution of our heads on our shoulders. Our heads weigh 10-12lbs. When sitting in an upright position with your head over your shoulders, this weight is evenly distributed to the shoulders. When the head is not in this position, the weight put on the shoulders significantly increases. At 15 degrees of forward head carriage, the weight increases to about 27lbs. At 30 degrees, it goes up to 40lbs. At 45 degrees, it is 49lbs. At 60 degrees, it can be as much as 60lbs on the neck and shoulders! If left untreated, text neck can cause serious damage to spine including:


  • Spinal misalignment

  • Disc herniation

  • Disc compression

  • Nerve or muscle damage

  • Early arthritis

  • Spinal degeneration

  • Arm numbness and tingling

Fortunately, text neck is preventable and treatable. Keeping phones and workspaces at eye level and taking breaks from your devices can prevent text neck. If you are already suffering from pain in your neck and shoulders or are interested in further prevention, chiropractic can help.

At Miller Chiropractic we provide adjustments and therapies that can help with forward head posture. Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine which decreases wear and tear on the discs and vertebra. Adjustments and cervical decompression therapy relieve pressure put on nerves due to poor posture. Muscle therapies including dry needling, electric stimulation, and myofascial scraping are used at to provide relief of pain caused by tight and overworked muscles. Exercises may also be provided to help support your posture. So if you have a phone, give us a call today!


Miller Chiropractic Center

Helping You Live the Life You Want to Live

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