Lubbock Advanced Physical Medicine, Your Text Neck Solution

“Text neck” sounds like a fake condition created on Facebook, but it’s actually a real problem. At Lubbock Advanced Physical Medicine in Lubbock, TX, our chiropractic experts have seen our share of text neck issues. Fortunately, there are a few things that everyone can do to prevent this type of neck pain.

The Causes of Text Neck

Text neck is actually a very traditional neck problem masquerading as something new. Many forms of poor posture can cause neck pain and stiffness, from sitting the wrong way to repetitive strain. Text neck is a combination of both – it happens when you repeatedly stretch out your neck to focus downward and hold it there. This often happens when looking at a mobile device like a smartphone, hence the name.

This type of poor posture stretches the neck out in a way that is difficult to support and cups the shoulders together so they can’t provide much assistance. The symptoms of the text neck are often muscle strain around the neck, constant muscle aches, or the inability to turn your neck easily without pain. Your shoulders and back may also feel weak or too tight. These issues can progress to more serious problems in the future.

Prevention

Text neck occurs when you strain your neck by holding your head down for long periods of time, such as watching a movie while holding a phone in your hands, checking up on all of your emails while standing with your phone, or chatting with a friend for a long time.

The best way to avoid causing problems is to take frequent breaks. Don’t look down at a mobile device for more than a minute or two before you take a break, relax your neck, and walk around a little. If possible, set your phone at eye-level if you are watching a movie or video.

Stretches to Help Reduce Text Neck Pain

The best stretches to help with this kind of neck pain are regular, slow neck rotations and bending, as well as chin tuck exercises to improve mobility. Visit Lubbock Advanced Physical Medicine today to learn more and arrange for additional physical therapy to help manage your text neck pain. Call (806) 791-3399 to schedule an appointment today!