Text Neck Syndrome: 8 hours a day on your phone? Your neck is paying the price

Sinar Daily

20-05-2025

MALAYSIANS ranked among the highest digital device users in Asia, with an average daily screen time of eight hours and 17 minutes, which may result in 'text neck syndrome', a relatively new condition that has emerged post-pandemic with noticeable rise in cases among teenagers and young adults.
The country also has the third-highest TikTok usage in Southeast Asia, averaging 121 videos per day.
Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV), in a statement, stated that Malaysia's high digital consumption, especially among the younger population, is a significant contributor to the rise of text neck syndrome.
It said that the Health Ministry reported that 67 per cent of Malaysians experienced neck pain at some point, making it the second most common musculoskeletal issue, yet many dismissed it as temporary or stress-related.
"Poor workplace ergonomics further compounded the issue, as many endured long hours at non-conducive desk setups. This prolonged strain was increasingly linked to higher rates of sick leave in corporate environments, reduced productivity, and declining workplace performance,' the statement read.
Consultant Orthopaedic, Trauma, and Spine Surgeon at SMCV, Dr Chang Kok Chun was quoted in the statement as saying that text neck syndrome occurs when there is a repetitive stress injury caused by prolonged forward head posture when looking down at screens.
"When someone developed text neck, the muscles and joints in the neck underwent continuous strain due to poor posture. Over time, this caused muscle and joint fatigue, discomfort, and if left untreated, could even result in structural damage,' he explained.
Dr Chang also urged Malaysians to pay closer attention to the pain they were feeling and avoid ignoring it to prevent other health complications. He noted that the pain would initially provoke protective muscle spasms, visible in X-rays as straightening of the spine.
"If ignored, this could lead to premature degeneration of the spine, including thinning of the disc between vertebrae and the development of bone spurs and facet joint arthritis over time, also known as cervical spondylosis (wear and tear of the joint and discs in the neck),' he warned.
Dr Chang cautioned that this irreversible condition could lead to nerve or spinal cord compression, causing radiating pain, numbness, or pins and needles sensations in the arms, forearms and hands, while in severe cases, could result in weakness or paralysis in the upper and lower limbs, with persistent pain also impacting mental health and overall well-being.
He said managing text neck syndrome involved a combination of physiotherapy, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, medication and stressed that consistent ergonomic practices by reducing screen time, using proper posture, and incorporating regular neck relaxation exercises throughout the day were essential in managing this condition.
Dr Chang acknowledged that while many were aware of the risks of text neck syndrome, breaking bad habits remained challenging due to heavy workloads.
He encouraged Malaysians to make gradual improvements, such as adopting proper posture, ergonomic setups and regular neck exercises to protect spinal health.
Meanwhile, Physiotherapist and Manager of Rehabilitation Medicine Services at SMCV Thomas Chua Wei Yeh said one of the most common postural issues was Forward Head Posture and this misalignment occurs when one tilts one's head forward by 45 degrees, increasing the load on the cervical spine from five to 22 kilogrammes.
Thomas explained that this extra strain added over 1,000 hours of stress on the spine annually, leading to symptoms like neck and shoulder pain, headaches, dizziness, spinal nerve irritation resulting in tingling sensations in the hands, and even early degenerative arthritis of the neck.
"Physiotherapy, including manual therapy, postural retraining, and targeted exercises to relieve tension, build strength and restore proper alignment, was crucial for recovery and prevention. While most patients begin to notice improvement within three to six sessions, severe cases may require a longer treatment plan to achieve lasting results,' he said.
According to Thomas, treatment plans are tailored to individual lifestyles and physical demands, focusing on reducing continuous screen time for students, promoting posture-friendly habits and optimising backpack use to avoid unnecessary strain on the neck and upper back.
"While office workers should prioritise ergonomic workstations and integrate mobility breaks such as stretching routines to reduce muscular fatigue and joint stress.
"Progress is tracked through a combination of clinical assessments and patient-reported outcomes. We assess range of motion to evaluate cervical and thoracic spine mobility, and test muscle strength in key postural areas.
"Postural analysis helps us monitor alignment changes over time, while pain scales and functional questionnaires offer insights into daily performance and comfort levels,' he said, noting that improvements such as less reliance on pain medication and better tolerance for daily tasks are key signs of recovery.
Thomas also warned against movements that worsened symptoms during recovery, such as abdominal crunches, overhead lifting, or prolonged typing with a flexed neck, stressing that while rest relieved immediate pain, long-term recovery required movement, postural correction, and strengthening. - BERNAMA