Preventing Tech Neck Syndrome
Tech neck is a common condition that results from slouching your neck when using computers or other electronic devices. It puts a tremendous amount of strain on your neck, and it causes tension or pain in your upper back and shoulders. At Ringer Chiropractic in Tracy, CA, we understand how tech neck syndrome impacts you. Our chiropractor will treat you and help prevent future pain.
What Are Symptoms of Tech Neck Syndrome?
There are several side effects of tech neck, which include:
- Neck strain: A forward head position causes your muscles to stretch behind your neck, leading to pain and soreness. In addition, your head weighs around ten pounds, and even a slight tilt makes it feel heavier. The added weight makes your neck muscles work a lot harder, and neck pain develops quickly.
- Headaches: It's easy to develop headaches when your head and neck are in the wrong position.
- Abnormal curvature: You could develop a hunched back, which is hard to fix after many years of tech neck.
- Stiffness: Tech neck syndrome can cause inflammation and stress on your neck and limit its rotation.
- Shoulder pain: Maintaining a hunched position over a keyboard can cause pain in your shoulders. You should rotate and roll your shoulders back and forth to prevent strain.
How Can I Prevent Tech Neck Syndrome?
There are some easy ways to limit the effects of tech neck syndrome, including:
- Position your screen to eye level. Looking downward at your phone or computer screen will cause pain.
- Stand up and move around. Sedentary jobs that include sitting at a desk are not good for your neck or body. Moving around helps circulate blood through your body.
- Create structured breaks. Take mini-breaks after about 20-30 minutes of phone or computer time. Breaks will help prevent neck strain, and you can set alarms to remind yourself.
- Correct your posture. Proper posture should allow you to draw an imaginary line from your ear to your shoulder. The head is heavy, and it's a natural tendency to point the head forward.
- Exercise. A strong back and core help promote better posture.
Schedule an Appointment for Neck Pain Relief
Tech neck is common, but chiropractic care can relieve its symptoms. At Ringer Chiropractic in Tracy, CA, our chiropractor uses natural techniques to alleviate back pain. We can also teach you how to prevent tech neck syndrome from reoccurring. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
