Many people can’t imagine a day without their phones, laptops and devices. We use them to stay connected with friends and family, to do work, and to access information. But all that phone, laptop and device usage can take its toll on our bodies, especially our necks.
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your neck, it might be time to look into chiropractic care. Chiropractors can help relieve tension in the neck and restore proper function of the spine.
So if you’re struggling with tech neck, don’t wait any longer – chiropractic care might be just what you need.
What is tech neck?
Tech neck is primarily caused by our necks straining forwards past the shoulders, further than where they naturally fall.
Looking down at a screen all the time encourages a hunched mid-back. As a result, we may develop a flattening of the curve in our neck. Over time, this stress can cause pain in the neck, back, shoulders, arms, and hands.
Muscles that are overworked and stretched over time tend to stay that way. These changes impact our posture and make us more susceptible to pain and injury.
We may cause damage not only to our muscles but also impact the shape of our spine. Poor postural habits can cause a lifetime of problems, and so it’s important that we minimise these impacts in a child’s developing spine.
Common symptoms of tech neck
You may feel discomfort or pain in your neck, shoulders, or upper back. You may also experience arm numbness. You may feel tingling or pain in your arms, hands, or fingers.
Some other symptoms of tech neck are:
- Neck pain that can be both chronic and acute
- Neck and upper back tightness
- Forward head carriage
- Headaches, particularly those that begin at the base of the skull and spread
- Arthritis in the cervical spine
- Neck mobility is limited
Chiropractic treatment for tech neck
The first step any chiropractor will take is to assess the patient. For those who exhibit early symptoms of tech neck, a few exercises and limiting their time spent on smart devices may be enough to solve the problem.
Adults and children who spend several hours per day on a smartphone or laptop, on the other hand, may require chiropractic care for tech neck. In the case of the latter, your chiropractor will employ techniques tailored to children.
Chiropractic care may include:
1. Spinal adjustments to alleviate tension
Cervical spine adjustments are used to relieve tension in muscles and joints. Repeated tension in your muscles can cause inflammation which can be very painful. Chiropractic treatment for tech neck is safe and effective for people of all ages. Chiropractors are trained in specialised techniques for all patients, including children, athletes, pregnant women and even the elderly.
2. Stretching exercises
Neck stretches are simple, even for children, and highly effective. The chiropractor will show you how to do specific neck exercises that support your muscles. This might include resistence or flexion stretches that are simple yet highly effective, and play an important role in chiropractic care for tech neck.
3. Massage
Massage aids in the relaxation of tense muscles and improved blood flow to injured areas, which promotes faster healing. On the other hand, physical rehabilitation exercises help strengthen neck muscles and restore range of motion and mobility.
4. Correct posture guidance when using smart devices
A chiropractor is an expert on correct posture. As a result, you can enlist our help in creating a healthy setup when using a smartphone, laptop, or gaming console. Chiropractic treatment for tech neck extends beyond adjustments and in-person care.
A chiropractor can assist you in creating a healthy environment at home while still using your favourite devices. You will also learn how much time you should spend on your computer and smartphone and encourage you to live a more active lifestyle and embrace physical activity.
Final thoughts on chiropractic care for tech neck
The tech neck phenomenon is causing more and more people to experience issues in their necks and upper spines – making an already irritating condition even worse. Spinal adjustments treat these issues, reducing pain and inflammation.
Left untreated, tech neck is likely to worsen over time and cause worsening symptoms.
Headaches, tingling in the hands/wrists, shoulder spasms, arthritis, and even a decreased lung capacity are all possible side effects of prolonged tech neck.
Technology is an inescapable part of life, but you don’t have to suffer from tech neck. Changing a few habits can significantly reduce the strain on your neck and improve your quality of life.
