Latest news with #techneck
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
What is ‘tech neck' and how can you fix it?
With nearly 86 percent of full-time American workers spending long, unhealthy hours sitting at their desks, leaning over computers, or staring down at their phones, many have found themselves suffering from 'tech neck.' The condition, sometimes also referred to as 'text neck," is used to describe pain and discomfort in the neck that can happen when someone bends their head down. The problem is pressure, with experts saying that holding your head at a 45-degree angle can feel like 50 pounds of weight. "That's like having an 8-pound bowling ball as your head. Then you have 72 pounds at your elbow and 96 pounds on your shoulder," Brian Langenhorst, industrial and ergonomics specialist at Wisconsin's La Crosse Mayo Clinic Health System, said. "I probably see tech neck on a weekly basis at businesses, schools and industry." There has been an increase in cases in recent years, but there are ways to prevent the condition. Here's how to fix it. Stretch those neck muscles out Stretches should be done frequently for the best benefits, according to sports medicine Dr. Jeffrey Peng. "Five minutes is really all you need to stretch out the neck," he said. "But the key is to do these stretches frequently — ideally, three times per day. That way, you are slowly increasing mobility and range of motion of the neck muscles that often get tighter and tighter throughout the day.' He recommends touching your ear to your shoulder to stretch the upper trapezius, a large shoulder muscle. For further pressure, put gentle pressure on your head using your hand. Hold it for 30 seconds. You can also stretch the levator scapula: a neck muscle that runs along the upper back on neck on either side of the spine. With the head turned diagonally, pull down on it with one hand and guide the other hand to rest on the base of the neck. To target the anterior scalene — which helps to flex the neck and elevate the first rib — pull the ear toward the shoulder, look up, and lean back. Improve your posture Adjust your monitor to the right level, with eye height about a half inch to one and a half inches higher than the top characters on your screen. Sit with your head, hips, and spine stacked, and keep your wrists straight and elbows bent at a 90-degree angle. Your feet should be flat on the floor and your knees should be aligned with your hips. When using a phone, place pillows on your lap to support your forearms and try to hold the phone or tablet in an upright and angled position. By looking straight ahead, your muscles get a chance to relax, preventing uneven pressure. "It's not great, but it's better than not being supported," said Langenhorst. Other strategies That will get blood circulating and it will get your neck in a different position. Or, even just stand. 'Humans are upright creatures, and our bodies aren't designed to look down for long periods of time, which puts extra pressure on the cervical spine,' Dr. Kavita Trivedi, an associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, said.
Associated Press
25-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New National Survey Reveals Tech Neck a Growing Public Health Concern
Get the heads up on tech neck! – National Spinal Health Week 26 May-1 June 'Women consistently reported higher neck pain rates for all devices and settings (home and workplace) and were significantly more affected by chronic pain, mental health impacts, and productivity loss.'— Dr Billy Chow SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, May 25, 2025 / / -- Today, to launch Spinal Health Week, the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA), released new data revealing 'tech neck' (Tension Neck Syndrome), is a significant public health concern due to overuse or misuse of technology with Australian women most susceptible to the debilitating condition. An independent survey by Pureprofile, 'The impact of tech neck and neck pain in Australia' revealed misuse of technology does more than cause neck pain; it's impacting every aspect of our daily lives. 'The survey revealed women are the primary sufferers of neck pain in every age bracket, except 51-60, with women aged 31-40 (73%) the most affected, reflecting a life-long, daily exposure to tech,' said ACA President Dr Billy Chow. 'Women consistently reported higher neck pain rates across all devices and settings (home and workplace), and were significantly more affected by chronic pain, mental health impacts, and productivity loss,' he said. The survey found female laptop users were 23% more likely than men to use non-ergonomic desks at work which was associated with a 16% higher incidence of neck pain than women using ergonomic workspaces. Overall, 64% of respondents reported neck pain with 70% of sufferers reporting that neck pain impeded their movement or day-to-day activities, which is higher than previous statistics of 1-in-5. 'Neck pain is a widespread, increasingly gendered issue in Australia, with 68% of women and 60% of men reporting symptoms, most linked to poor posture, extended screen time, and non-ergonomic device use. 'With only 36% of neck pain sufferers being aware their neck pain was linked to device use, to help prevent tech neck we must adjust our thinking on how we use technology, how often and the way we use it,' said Dr Chow. 'It was concerning that 38% of neck pain sufferers did not consult a healthcare practitioner; with 78% using over-the-counter pain relief and 47% relying on prescription medication to manage neck pain.' While medications may offer temporary relief from neck pain, academic studies show opioids do not benefit people with acute neck or back pain; comparatively, studies demonstrate commencing treatment for tech neck promptly is crucial in preventing further functional decline and progression to a chronic condition. Australians reported their mental health, and productivity was impacted with 24% experiencing higher irritability, 20% poorer concentration and 23% disrupted sleep with women 43% more effected by productivity loss than men. The survey revealed that proper posture, regular breaks, and correct ergonomics significantly reduced neck pain prevalence. Smartphone users who took regular breaks reported 33% less neck pain, while 85% of women device users who never took breaks experienced neck pain; compared to 61% of women who did. A worrying trend observed since COVID-19 is the surge in children and teens experiencing neck pain, making them vulnerable to spinal health issues and further health implications now and in the future. 'ACA Chiropractors reported a sharp rise in tech neck among young people with 34% reporting a 'significant increase (+25%)' and 27% a 'moderate increase (11-24%)' in teens. It's vital we educate kids on healthy device habits to prevent long-term neck-related health issues,' said Dr Chow. 'With technology a vital part of our lives, not only must we monitor the length of time we use devices but must be cognisant that overuse and how we use devices can negatively impact our spinal and mental health. 'The ACA recommends limiting recreational screentime to two hours per day, holding devices at eye level to prevent bending the neck forward, changing posture and taking regular breaks every ten minutes to look away from the device and move the neck from side-to-side,' Dr Chow said. Incorrect and non-ergonomic computer use is also a primary cause of tech neck. With 75.5% of Australians aged 16-to-64 using computers daily, incorrect and non-ergonomic use can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). 'MSDs, including tech neck, cost our economy over $55 billion annually through direct health costs, lost productivity and reduced quality of life, making the burden on Australians and our economy significant. 'Anytime you use a laptop or desktop computer it's essential to take regular breaks, move and stretch, and use correct ergonomics to help prevent tech neck,' he said Get the heads up on tech neck, visit Media Centre Alice Collins Insight Communications email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
