Technology Resulting in an Increase in Neck Pain

Neck pain becomes more and more common around the globe. Much of it is being attributed to the use of tablets and iPads, particularly if they are being used to binge watch TV shows. Some are spending 4 or more hours with the neck bent down to catch up on their favorite shows. Before doing this, it is good to be informed of the following facts.

Your upper cervical spine has the responsibility of balancing the head. This is done easily if a person is looking straight ahead while standing or sitting. However, when one is looking down, the pressure on the neck changes dramatically. Here are a few startling statistics:

• 27 pounds of pressure is exerted on the spine when looking down at a 15-degree angle
• If one has the head at a 30-degree angle, the spine absorbs 40 pounds of pressure
• At a 45-degree angle, one is balancing 49 pounds of weight
• A 60-degree angle causes a massive 60 pounds of weight – 5 or 6 times what the neck is supposed to support

So, what does this mean? – That it is vital for one to keep the tablet at eye level whenever possible. One suggestion is to get a stand for the device rather than looking down at it in your lap. Hours of video watching at the wrong angle can do real damage to the spine and is enough to cause the bones of the upper neck to misalign, leading to a variety of health problems throughout the body.

“Stress, sleep position, posture, smoking, and even modern technology can result in chronic neck pain.”

Neck pain can encompass several different sensations. For example, the pain may involve tightness and spasms in the muscles of the neck. It can result in a decreased range of motion making it tougher to nod the head up and down or to turn from side to side. Pain may grow worse when you hold your head in one position for long periods of time – for example, when you have to spend long hours looking at a computer monitor. Neck pain can also lead to tension headaches.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can spring from many different sources. For example, if you sleep in an uncomfortable position, you may wake up with a stiff neck. If you spend long hours driving in a vehicle or working at a desk, poor posture may become an underlying problem. People who frequently use mobile technology may suffer from what has been termed “text neck” or “tech neck.” Nerve compression can result in radiating pain that enters the shoulders and may even extend down the arms. Trauma such as car accidents and sports injuries can also lead to chronic neck pain. Stress is another major factor as it can provide the basis for tension in the neck.

Preventing Neck Pain

There are a number of ways to try and combat neck pain. Most of these have to do with avoiding the common sources of neck pain.

• Change Your Sleep Position: If you often wake up with a stiff neck, you may need to get a new pillow or change the position you sleep in. Sleeping on your stomach is the worst for your neck because your head will be turned to the side so you can breathe. Imagine walking around for 8 hours with your head turned to the side? It is not a surprise when a stomach sleeper wakes up with neck pain.
• Take Breaks at Work: If you spend long hours driving or sitting at a desk for work, take regular breaks (every 45-60 minutes) to get up and stretch a little. This will keep neck muscles from staying in a stressed position for too long.
• Quit Smoking: Smoking can damage the discs between the vertebrae and lead to the premature onset of arthritis in the neck.
• Get a Better Bag: If you regularly carry a heavy bag over one shoulder, you should consider switching to a backpack or another type of bag that allows you to distribute the weight evenly.
• Stress Management: Good stress management techniques can help you to reduce the amount of stress that ends up trapped in your neck and shoulders.In addition to these preventative measures, you can also find relief from many forms of neck pain through upper cervical chiropractic care.

Getting Help for Neck Pain

A good place to begin correcting problems with the neck is by visiting an upper cervical chiropractor, such as myself. The C1 bone of the upper neck can put pressure on the brainstem if it is misaligned causing such conditions as migraines, vertigo and, of course, neck pain. I use a gentle method that helps this bone to realign, often bringing an end to neck pain and its associated problems.

To find an upper cervical specialist in your area, you can visit http://www.nucca.org. If you are in the Chicago, Illinois area, you can call us to schedule for an initial consultation.

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