Read “Have you got Text-Neck?” by Dr. Amit Patel DC (Chiropractor) to learn more about Ipswich Spine Clinic and our practice in Ipswich, Suffolk.
We look forward to serving you! Call – 01473 232 002.
Headaches? Dull aches? Could it be text neck?
Imagine the scene. You’re opening an email on your phone, it’s not loading and the circle keeps spinning. Whilst attempting to refresh the page for the fifth time you feel a little ache in your neck and shoulders. This is a surprisingly common problem that can seriously affect your posture, your neck and your arms; it’s what we call Text Neck.
What is Text Neck?
We live in a technical age, and use all manner of powerful electronic equipment to make our lives easier. And these days, most people have a mobile phone. The phrase ‘Text Neck’ comes from pain or discomfort in the neck or arms caused by gazing down at our phones, well; texting. It is caused by prolonged forward head carriage and can cause havoc with the sensitive structures in the neck.
The human age has revolutionized so much in the last 100 years that our bodies are struggling to keep up. Struggling to find a solution to all these new and stressful positions we force ourselves into and struggling to protect joints that are in-turn being overworked due to these bizarre positions.
Let’s think back to the hunting days, man was the superior species ruling the planet. Their bodies were put through physical stress but the human body could actually cope with that due to the constant exercise. Along with the lean diet and the natural movements of the mind and body.
We’ve gone from being a superior, strong and brave species to a technical, intelligent yet lazy species. All sorts of mind-boggling new inventions have pushed us into a couch potato lifestyle!
First, the dreaded text neck must go. But how?
Move the phone to your face, not your face to the phone. Hold your phone at eye level as much as possible. The same holds true for all screens—laptops and tablets should also be positioned so the screen is at eye level if possible and you don’t have to bend your head forward or look down to view it.
Take frequent breaks away from your phone and laptop throughout the day. For example, set an alarm to remind you to get up and walk every hour.
The bottom line is to avoid looking down with your head bent forward for long periods of the day. Spend a whole day mindful of your posture. How do you sit whilst watching TV? Is your head bent forward when you drive? These prolonged activities will put excessive strain on your neck.
Secondly, move your body and eat well!
Exercise! This doesn’t mean 800 sets at the gym, this can be a leisurely walk or slow jog to get the heart pumping and the body working.
What diet I hear you ask? Forget the diet let’s make it a lifestyle, plenty of fruit and vegetables including a viable source of protein and complex carbs. Your body will thank you for it!
Experiencing sporadic pain? Believe it or not, headaches, back ache, and shoulder pain are signals that something is wrong. Chiropractors focus on relieving pain and keeping you well maintained for the rest of your life. Sure, exercise and diet is fantastic but without some maintenance our bodies would simply get weaker and under-perform. Chiropractic limits pain and helps restore normal function.
Couch potato or cave man, follow these simple steps to help keep your posture in good shape. After all, who wants to be hunched over and in pain?!
For Your Health,
Dr. Amit Patel DC
An Optimal Spine Equals Optimal Health
Ipswich Spine Clinic
Neale Chambers, 6-8 Neale Street,
Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3JB
Phone: 01473 232 002