Posture is Key
Good posture is essential not only for looking good but also for overall health. Stressing the muscles of the neck and back can result in pain and even injury to the cervical spine. The stiffness and soreness will only worsen unless some habit changes are introduced.
So sitting with a straight back is a good start. But apart from improved postural habits, exercises and stretches are also needed.
The Logic Behind It
The human head weighs between 10 and 12 pounds, on average. The force on the spine increases when the neck bends downwards. This means that when the head is at a 30° degree angle, the amount of force placed on the spine is 40 pounds.
But when the neck is bent at a 45° degree angle, it increases to 49 pounds. And it's even worse at a 60-degree angle, which places 60 pounds of force on the neck!
What Is The Cause?
The more people look down at their devices, the more at risk they are of developing tech neck. It is primarily found in people aged 18 to 39 who have an average of 3 digital devices and look down at their screens up to 150 times per day.
It’s not only a workplace problem; social media and mobile devices play a huge role in everyday life. And the pandemic has made it even worse since phones became the only way of interacting for a long time.
What Are The Risks?
Looking down at a screen for too long can affect several areas of the body; it’s not just the neck that is suffering.
But a double chin is not the only health issue associated with “tech neck.” It can also cause spinal degeneration and spinal misalignment, gastrointestinal problems, disc compression, early onset of arthritis, and even damage to muscles and nerves
What To Do?
In order to fix the problem, there are some measures that anyone can take to reverse the pain and even prevent further discomfort. Some basic exercises and stretches can really make a difference.
It is important to remember to lift the phone up to eye level to reduce pressure on the spine, take frequent breaks from devices for some gentle stretches, and get up and leave smartphones behind for a while.