Tips to avoid ‘text neck’

If you’re reading this in print, congratulations! You’re not staring at your phone! Collectively, Americans check their smartphones over 8 billion times per day and young adults send or receive an average of over 100 text messages daily. Each time you hunch over your phone, you’re contributing to “text neck,” a nickname for the back, neck and spinal issues affecting those of us who spend too much time on their mobile devices. Extra weight is put on your spine when flexing your head forward, increasing the further you extend. Doctors are predicting an astronomical increase in spine and neck issues over the next 20 years if the trend continues. Phones are an essential tool for most people, but you can correct your text neck by using voice-to-text, holding your phone at eye level or by lying on your back when using your phone for extended periods. If you work in front of a computer, take frequent breaks to move your head around and readjust. There’s also this nifty little feature called a power button—try using it.

Source: Surgical Neurology International