Technology is a huge part of life now. It’s everywhere! It’s in your jobs working on computers, it’s at social events and it’s at home playing games on your tablet. However, most people don’t realize is that the more you are on your device the greater possibility you have in developing tech neck.
Without even noticing that you’re doing it, you quite possibly have already been experiencing neck pain, shoulder soreness and even lower back discomfort. If you find yourself using technology every day, or have a job that requires you to work on a computer or use your phone for hours on end, you might have tech neck. There are so many ways you can get tech neck and it doesn’t necessarily have to be working on a computer or using your cell phone.
What is tech neck?
Tech neck is classified as a condition that is caused by a strain on the neck, back and shoulder muscles. Tilting your head downward for a long period of time will cause your neck, shoulder and back muscles to strain thus resulting in tech neck.
Most people may not notice signs of tech neck. Here are some signs you should look out for!
- Neck pain or soreness
- Shoulder soreness
- Lower back soreness
With all the technology and devices people use in their everyday lives for their work or leisure, it’s not hard to develop tech neck without noticing. You can see people on the buses, trains and even walking down the street looking down at their phones… tech neck is everywhere! Did you know that tech neck can be reversed with the straightening of posture!? By changing the way you stand and sit while working on your device you can reverse the effects of tech neck.
Did you know that both iPhone and Android have come out with a feature that tracks how long you’re on your phone and each application? This feature is concussive to those who are on social media and using their phones more than most people will help explain why you may have anxiety, headaches or tech neck. Judging on how much you’re on your phone this will help to come to terms with some of the problems that are contributing to tech neck, headaches/migraines and anxiety.
There is a feature in electronics called blue light. This is the light that the computer, cell phone, tablet and television give off to make the colour/picture more enhanced. This blue light can affect a lot of your daily life and activities. Did you know that there is a feature on your phone that allows the screen to be a yellow colour helping you look at the screen at night?
Check out these simple steps to change your posture and reverse tech neck
When standing and on your device. There are do’s and don’ts when changing your posture
- Push your shoulders back
- Bring your head up and look forward
- Bring your device up to the middle of your chest
Incorrect
Correct
When sitting at a desk it’s important to remember…
- Push your shoulders back
- Sit with your back fully pressed against the back of the chair
- Keep your head up
- Have your chain parallel to the ground or desk
Incorrect
Correct
When sitting in a chair it’s important to remember
- Push your shoulders back
- Sit with your back fully pressed against the back of the chair
- Keep your feet flat on the ground
- Keep your head up
- Bring your phone or another device to chest level
- Keep your chin up
