The average American spends 4.5 hours per day staring at and tapping away on their smartphone. Add to that the additional hours bent over a laptop or tablet, and we spend a huge chunk of our day hunched over screens… often in positions that are hard on our neck and spine. These repetitive bad postural habits do more than cause occasional discomfort, they can lead to a condition known as “tech neck.”
What Is Tech Neck?
Tech neck is a disorder caused by poor posture while looking down at computers, tablets, smartphones, and other digital devices. Maintaining a forward-head posture for extended periods of time causes strain on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck, shoulders, and upper spine. Tech neck is becoming increasingly common among people of all ages, even children.
What Causes Tech Neck?
Poor posture is the primary cause of tech neck, but there are other factors that contribute to the development of the condition. These include weak core and upper back muscles, poor workstation ergonomics, and long hours of sedentary behavior with few movement breaks.
What Are the Symptoms of Tech Neck?
Early symptoms of tech neck include neck and shoulder pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. These tend to become more noticeable after long periods of looking at one’s phone or other devices. Symptoms tend to come on slowly and worsen over time.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Tech Neck?
Untreated tech neck can lead to joint stiffness, pain, tension headaches, muscular imbalances, shortening of the neck and chest muscles, and weakening of the upper back muscles. If left unaddressed, it can even cause long-term structural changes of the cervical and upper thoracic spine, including a rounded back and a hump at the base of the neck.
Advanced cases of tech neck may result in nerve irritation, tingling or numbness in the arms and hands, and discomfort that spreads to the jaw area. Without treatment, chronic symptoms may become painful, negatively impacting daily life, sleep quality, and overall mobility.
Does Tech Neck Cause a Hump?
Tech neck can contribute to the development of a visible hump at the base of the neck. This is referred to as a postural hump or a “dowager’s hump.” A tech neck hump is characterized by a bony or fatty bulge around the C7 vertebra. It is typically rounded in shape and may be accompanied by rounded shoulders and a forward resting head position as well.
Be aware that not all humps in that location are caused solely by tech neck. They may also be a result of genetics, osteoporosis, or age-related spinal degeneration.
Can a Chiropractor Fix Tech Neck?
Chiropractic care can reduce or even reverse the issues caused by tech neck, especially when the problem is addressed early on in its development. A chiropractor can improve your spinal alignment, muscle balance, and joint mobility with spinal adjustments and complementary therapies. Chiropractors may also provide targeted stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as advice on posture and ergonomic corrections to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Address Tech Neck with Chiropractic Care
Total Chiropractic Care and Wellness can help you manage the discomfort of tech neck and correct the postural imbalances it causes. We can also advise you on how to prevent further progression with proper posture and workstation ergonomics. We’d love to meet with you and work together to figure out what treatment plan can help you live your best life. To learn more or get started, contact us today!
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