Tech Neck

   Many of our patients walk around with their heads jutting forward like a tortoise peeking out of its shell. That's not just a bad posture habit; it's become a silent epidemic known as " tech neck" - a new challenging twist on forward and head posture. And  it's getting worse with every scroll, click, and swipe.

   Poor posture has been around as long as gravity, but now it is affecting younger generations at an alarming rate. Increased screen time is accelerating this problem. Tweens, teens, and adults of all ages are hunched over phones and tablets, playing video games and endlessly texting. This constant downward gaze creates a perfect storm for tech neck.

   The average American now spends over six hours per day using digital media. A recent Journal of Physical Therapy Science study reported that people spending more than five hours per day using a smartphone are more likely to develop a tech neck, 

   Tech neck Increases compressive loading on tissues in the cervical and thoracic spine, particularly the facet joints, discs muscles, and ligaments. Common symptoms include neck pain, TMJ syndrome, tension and migraine headaches, and thoracic pain. Rounded shoulders can also result in shoulder pain and dysfunction relating to altered scapular muscle activity activity and balance. 

   A recent study showed 83% of patients with neck pain (caused by faulty posture) experienced a changed breathing pattern.