Tech Neck: What Is It and How Can You Prevent It?

Do you spend a lot of time looking down at your phone or computer screen? If so, you may be at risk for developing tech neck. This is a condition that can cause neck pain and other health problems. In this blog post, we will discuss what tech neck is and how Texas Spine and Sports Therapy can help you prevent or heal from this painful condition. 

What is Tech Neck?

Tech neck, also sometimes known as text neck, is a posture-related disorder characterized by pain at the back of the neck, shoulder and upper back. It typically occurs in people who spend too much time looking down at their phone or computer screen. This can result in chronic forward head carriage, which causes excessive strain on the muscles and ligaments of the neck.

Symptoms

Chronic pain caused by tech neck can lead to headaches, muscle spasms, restricted range of motion and chronic fatigue. Some other common symptoms include:

• Pain in the back of the neck  
• Aching pain in shoulders
• Headaches  
• Numbness or tingling down arms or hands
• Weakness in arms or hands
• Difficulty with balance  

Is Tech Neck Reversible?

Yes. The good news is that bad posture caused by phone and computer use is reversible. People who suffer from tech neck typically experience symptoms for several weeks or months, but full recovery can take up to one year after the patient starts developing correct postural habits.

Postural Therapy for Tech Neck

Postural therapy  focuses on treating the root causes of your symptoms. Here at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy, we have a certified Postural Alignment Specialist practicing postural therapy.

Postural therapy is a holistic-based therapy that uses a patient’s own body weight and to help improve the spine’s alignment and balance of the body. This technique centers around the idea that our bodies have eight load-bearing joints. These joints are in the shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. When they’re not lined up, the body can’t function to its fullest potential.

Benefits of Postural Therapy

Patients who receive this therapy experience many benefits, including:

• Improved posture (and its related health problems)  
• Increase in quality of sleep
• Better focus and concentration
• Improved mood
• Higher energy levels
• Reduced fatigue and stress

Other Treatments for Tech Neck

Here at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy, we offer a variety of other treatments in addition to postural therapy. Other treatments here at our Austin Clinic include:

• Chiropractic care to help correct the spine’s alignment and decrease neck pain. Chiropractic care has a number of benefits, like  helping to install a better balance and coordination of the body. It can also help maintain good general health and wellness.
• Active release technique (ART). This type of therapy is unique in that it analyzes the movement of muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood flow, nerves, joints, and other soft tissues throughout the entire body. This form of therapy is often used to help reduce pain, increase movement, and restore normal function to joints and muscles.
• Physical therapy, which can help relieve stiffness, increase mobility, improve coordination and balance, and maximize range of motion.
• Massage therapy, which can help reduce pain and restore function to the soft tissues.

Prevention is Key

Our chiropractors are dedicated to helping patients reduce or eliminate their neck pain. However, prevention is the best way to avoid tech neck, so our team recommends finding a healthy balance of technology use and adequate rest. We also recommend taking frequent breaks from looking at your phone or computer screen whenever possible.

Your Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

When you arrive for your first visit, Dr. Shaner or a member of the Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center team will spend time with you collecting your patient history. This information will help your Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center Team know how significant your pinched nerve problem is and how best to help you. As you get started with a treatment plan for your pinched nerve, we will most likely give you some at home tips to be aware of. The Team at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center has a lot of experience with pinched nerves, but we will also need your participation in your care for the best results.

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

We encourage you to call us today at (512) 806-0015 and schedule an appointment with our Austin medical team so we can help treat your neck pain and other symptoms related to tech neck.