The rise of Text-Neck!
Walking the streets of Dee Why, catching the ferry from Manly or even riding the L90 from Palm Beach all the way to the city, it seems more and more nowadays, smartphones are a must-have device that offer instant access to information and entertainment. Our patients, from the northern beaches to the lower north shore of Sydney, are spending more and more time attached to their iPhones, tablets and other “smart” devices.
You only have to look at cars on Pittwater Road to see multiple “blue hue” faces staring into their phones as the world passes them by. It certainly seems important to have these hand-held devices … on hand, though more and more our Northern Beaches Chiropractors are seeing the negative effects on the human body.
A recent study was conducted into the phenomena known as Text-Neck. In a research article titled “Assessment of Stresses in the Cervical Spine caused by Posture and Position of the Head” Chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine Kenneth Hansraj discovered that looking down at a smartphone for texting and other purposes puts added pressure on the user’s neck.
The study found that “As the head tilts forward the forces seen by the neck increases to 27 pounds at 15 degrees, 40 pounds at 30 degrees, 49 pounds at 45 degrees and 60 pounds at 60 degrees.” Hansraj wrote that “Cumulatively this is 700 to 1,400 hours a year of excess stresses seen about the cervical spine,” he said, paraphrasing this – it essentially amounts to between two to four hours a day spent bent unnecessarily over the screen of a smartphone.
We know that the nature of life today – particularly in Sydney and on the Northern Beaches business depends upon being connected. The research article went on to discuss that “While it is nearly impossible to avoid the technologies that cause these issues, individuals should make an effort to look at their phones with a neutral spine and to avoid spending hours each day hunched over,” he said.
This condition – if managed correctly and caught early can very much be cared for under our team of Chiropractors at Complete Chiropractic. If you know you’re spending too long looking at your phone and it’s really becoming a literal pain in the neck – don’t wait till it becomes a problem that is irreversible.
If you are looking for a great family focused Chiropractor on the Northern Beaches of Sydney speak to one of our wonderful team. Our wonderful staff will be happy to help you arrange for your next Chiropractic treatment.
Complete Chiropractic Dee Why
Suite 1, 32 Fisher Road, Dee Why, NSW 2099
Ph: (02) 9972 0040