The Dangers of Tech Neck

Head forward, shoulders rounded, back slumped: all of these things describe posture for many of us when we’re at home or in the office on our computers, phones, and tablets. If you keep up this stance for too long, it can cause muscle stiffness and tension. 

The average person living in the United States spends more than seven hours using digital media, with four of those hours being used for scrolling on your phone. So it comes as no surprise that tech neck is a growing issue. In fact, it’s predicted that 7 out of 10 Americans will end up with neck problems.

Don Enty, MD and our team at Genesis Pain & Regenerative Medicine wants you to be aware of all the dangers tech neck can have for your health and how to avoid and treat this health condition. 

The effects of tech neck

Initially, tech neck can cause symptoms like headaches, a stiff neck, neck spasms, and pain between your shoulder blades. You can also have trouble looking up or have tingling in your arms and hands. 

When you lean your head at a 45-degree angle, it’s the equivalent of your neck trying to hold up a 50-pound bag of potatoes. So it’s no wonder that over time, it can cause a large amount of stress not only on your neck but on your spine. You can end up with a curved spine and discs that bulge and eventually require surgery. 

Your options for tech neck treatments

If you find that tech neck is giving you pain that just won’t subside, our team has some suggestions on how to get some relief. 

At-home exercises

If your symptoms are fairly mild, you can try doing some exercises on your own to relax your neck. Some at-home stretches include:

• Chin tucks
• Rolling your shoulders back
• Exaggerated nods

You can also try some different yoga poses, using a standing desk, or taking frequent breaks from scrolling on your phone to alleviate some pain or tension. 

In-office methods

If you feel your pain is more severe and doesn’t go away with conservative methods, our team offers steroid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or nerve blocks to help you get some relief for your neck pain.  

If you’d like to learn more about tech neck or to find out what’s causing your neck pain, don’t hesitate to call our office located in Colleyville, Texas at 817-482-0188 or use our online scheduler to request an appointment today.