“Text neck” has become a true issue in today’s society as everywhere you look, people of all ages are spending more and more time glued to their smart phones. People not only use their smart phones as communication with family and friends, we are now using them for work, music, and endless amounts of games to choose from to occupy our time!
Neck pain can be very frustrating as it can affect many aspects of daily life including exercise, work, reading, hobbies, etc. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines neck pain as “pain perceived anywhere in the posterior region of the cervical spine, from the superior nuchal line to the first thoracic spinous process.” Text neck is the term used for neck pain that occurs when using a handheld device such as a phone or tablet. This prolonged use of the devices causes our head and shoulders to move into a forward flexed position. Over time, this can increase the pressure on the intervertebral discs in the spine and often lead to neck pain. If you find that with increased time spent on your device, your neck becomes more painful, you may benefit from a course of physical therapy to help! What are the typical symptoms associated with text neck??
How can physical therapy help with text neck?? A physical therapist will do a thorough assessment of your neck, shoulders, and thoracic spine to look for any postural impairments, muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, etc. Some common treatment techniques for neck pain include:
Next time you start feeling that aching, tightness in your neck give this exercise a try: Seated Chin Tucks/Cervical Retraction If you have dealt with persistent neck pain that has not improved, see a physical therapist to assess you and guide you in an individualized, specific treatment plan! Email me at [email protected] with questions or for scheduling purposes! If you want to stay up to date on my practice, receive physical therapy and fitness advice and tips, and find out about new blog posts → Subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!
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AuthorKaitlin Hartley, PT, DPT Archives
January 2020
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