Do you often suffer from neck, shoulder or upper back pain? This could be related to your phone usage. When we use our phones, we sometimes bend over for hours to read messages, scroll through social media or play games. At such moments, we often do not realise that this puts a lot of strain on your cervical vertebrae. As a result, your neck, shoulders and back can become stiff or painful. This posture can also cause headaches.
The rise of text neck
This complaint caused by excessive phone use is also known as text neck. When you think about it, the name makes perfect sense: constantly leaning forward puts a lot of pressure on your cervical vertebrae. This puts your muscles under constant strain, which can lead to stiffness and pain. Because smart-phones have become an integral part of everyday life, chiropractors are seeing more and more people with these kinds of posture-related complaints. These complaints are particularly common among young people and those who spend a lot of time looking at their phones.
From neck pain to structural damage
What starts as neck pain caused by smartphone use can eventually develop into more serious problems. Looking down at your phone for long periods of time shifts the natural balance of your spine. The neck muscles become overloaded and the joints are subjected to more stress than they can handle. This not only causes stiffness and pain, but can also lead to tingling in the arms or hands, for example due to nerve irritation. Chiropractors therefore warn that prolonged poor posture can exacerbate symptoms in the long term. It is therefore important to take action in good time. By being more conscious of your posture and taking regular breaks, you can limit further strain. If the symptoms persist, it is advisable to consult a chiropractor.
How chiropractic can help with smartphone neck problems
A chiropractor focuses not only on reducing pain, but also on restoring the natural balance of the spine. In the case of smartphone neck complaints, the first step is to examine where the strain accumulates and which joints are less flexible. The chiropractor can then apply targeted corrections to reduce blockages and support nerve function. This allows muscles to relax better, increases blood flow and speeds up recovery. In addition, you will often receive advice about your posture and practical exercises that you can do at home. This way, you not only work on short-term relief, but also on preventing recurring complaints.
Prevention is better than cure
Chiropractic treatment can often yield good results in alleviating symptoms, but prevention is always better than cure. Awareness is the first step. Consider your posture: how are you reading this article? Is your head leaning forward? Try to keep your screen at eye level. Take regular breaks and keep your neck muscles moving to reduce strain. Alternating sitting positions and strengthening your back and shoulder muscles also helps to keep your posture stable. Does the pain keep coming back or persist? Then contact a chiropractor for specific advice.
