Tech neck is chronic neck pain or stiffness caused by poor posture while using technology. Anytime you look down at an electronic device, it puts pressure on the nerve supply of the neck muscles which can stretch the spinal cord and cause pain. Over time, the force on the neck and upper back muscles can put uneven pressure on your spine causing worsening musculoskeletal fatigue in the back and neck and severe headaches.
As we age, the discs of our spine become narrowed, causing us to lose some of the support that our spine provides. This leads to more pressure on the nerve roots in the spine. That’s why it’s so important to stay in a neutral and upright posture while using screened devices.
Ways to Decrease Tech Neck
- Raise the screen of your computer monitor or laptop to your eye level so that you are looking straight ahead at the device. Looking up or down at your screen will only cause strain on your neck and back.
- When sitting, keep your knees aligned with your hips and allow your feet to rest flat on the floor.
- Place pillows on your lap to support your forearms and try to hold the phone in a more upright position.
- Stretching and changing positions throughout the day will help keep your muscles loose so they don’t strain, reducing the likeliness of tech neck.
Chiropractic Care Has Been Proven to Help With Tech Neck
Chiropractic care focuses on relieving the nervous system of stress caused by tech neck by realigning the spine while stimulating the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body. Chiropractic adjustments essentially return the spine to its neutral state. Merckling Family Chiropractor is here to help do just that. Contact us at (631) 286-2300 to schedule an appointment.
