What is Text neck

Text neck

Text neck refers to a condition characterized by neck pain and discomfort that is associated with prolonged use of electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. When people use these devices, they often tilt their heads forward and down, placing strain on the neck and upper spine. The term “text neck” emerged due to the increased prevalence of these symptoms in recent years, coinciding with the widespread use of handheld devices and excessive screen time, however the cynic in me questions this term, did we have ’book reading neck’ before text neck?

The repetitive and prolonged forward head posture while using electronic devices (or reading books) can cause various musculoskeletal issues. It places additional stress on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the neck and upper back, leading to symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain, and even numbness or tingling in the arms and hands. The condition can also affect posture and lead to long-term spinal alignment problems.

While some debate exists regarding the term “text neck” as a distinct medical diagnosis, there is consensus among health professionals that the posture and musculoskeletal problems associated with prolonged device usage can contribute to neck pain and related symptoms. The phenomenon is not limited to texting alone but encompasses any activity that involves prolonged use of handheld electronic devices.

To mitigate the risk of text neck or similar conditions, it is advisable to maintain good posture while using electronic devices. This includes holding devices at eye level, taking frequent breaks, practicing neck stretches and exercises, and maintaining an overall healthy posture throughout the day. If you are still experiencing neck pain then there are a few things we can do in the clinic which should help your pain and discomfort, we could manipulate or mobilise the joints, as well as working on the soft tissues with dry needling, myofascial release or instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation.