Are you suffering from text neck?
If you use a mobile communications device, as most people do, the chances are you’ll be spending a fair few minutes each day dropping your head forward to use your device for texting, browsing the net and using social media.
The growth of mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets and book readers has been a phenomenal success story but has this come at a cost to health? As a Chiropractic team in Chelmsford we feel the answer is a definite yes!
The normal position of the spine, and importantly the neck, is often compromised when using a mobile device. The most common problem that we see in our clinic is known as text neck. The more traditional term is Forward Head Posture (FHP) – when the head jots forward and the glance is sharper downwards than normal. Because the strain on the supporting neck muscles suddenly increases, a whole host of symptoms can start to manifest.
Let’s look at the research…
The effects of long term forward head posture leads to “long term muscle strain, disc herniation and pinched nerves.” Mayo Clinic Health Letter Vol. 18, #3 March 2000
It was noted in regard to Respiratory Dysfunction in Chronic Neck Pain Patients; …”the study demonstrated a strong association between an increased forward head posture and decreased respiratory muscle strength in neck patients.” – The journal Cephalalgia, 2009 Feb 2
“For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” – Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol 3.
Forward head posture (FHP) can add up to thirty (30) pounds of abnormal leverage on the cervical spine. This can pull the entire spine out of alignment. –Rene Cailliet, M.D., Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California
FHP has been shown to flatten the normal neck curve, resulting in disc compression, damage, and early arthritis. – Gore DR, Sepic SB, Gardner GM. Roentgenographic findings of the cervical spine in asymptomatic people. Spine 1986; 6:591-694
FHP results in loss of vital capacity of the lungs by as much as 30%. This shortness of breath can lead to heart and blood vascular disease. –Rene Cailliet, M.D., Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California
The entire gastrointestinal system is affected; particularly the large intestine. Loss of good bowel peristaltic function and evacuation is a common effect of FHP. –Rene Cailliet, M.D, Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California
Forward Head Posture can be helped with a variety of advice, exercise and chiropractic care. The symptoms of FHP respond well to spinal adjustment and deep tissue massage and we urge anyone who uses their mobile device for more than 30 minutes each day to book in for a consultation at our chiropractic clinic in chelmsford. A consultation with our Chiropractor can assess any spinal decay, muscle weakness and nerve damage that is being caused. Advice and treatment can then help resolve the problems effectively.
