A little spine time
Text Neck Syndrome:
You want to avoid a real pain in the neck?
As a Chiropractor, I am perhaps a bit hyper-aware of posture in people. I sometimes wish I could be quick enough, and subtle enough with a camera to capture people in their at-ease postures.
One of the newer, and yet increasingly common issues is a condition called "Text Neck".
It's not really new, but it is so much more common now, due to cell phones and texting, that it has earned a title for itself.
Mom was right. Again.
Apart from earning mom's admonition to sit up straight, a head-down posture introduces stresses into the spine that it was not designed to hold, and triggers inflammation in nerves that, in turn, cause all kinds of issues.
These range from neck pain, to headache, to arm numbness, and more.
So, it's a habit already.
But what can we do about it?
A lot, actually.
First,
bring your phone or other reading material up in front of your face.
If you are working at a desk, move your monitor up level with your eyes, and any hard copy up onto an easel so that you don't have to look down at it.
Second,
do an exercise called "the chicken" several times daily. This is done by looking straight ahead, and then gliding your head straight backward. Don't tip back. Glide back. Hold it 10 seconds, and repeat 3 times.
Finally,
see your Chiropractor. They can correct misalignments that have developed from Text Neck, and give you specific advice on sleeping posture.
For more tips, get my book, Reservoir Of Better Health, here.
Quick Tip....Yoga!
Yoga has some great answers! Thanks for the feedback!
You got a 16.67% upvote from @bearwards courtesy of @jmehta!
A great post with really important information. I can speak from the experience of an older person who has significant back problems, some of which I was probably born with, but also from physical work, especially lifting, twisting, carrying children on my hip, and taking my body for granted and not taking proper precautions that eventually cause a great deal of problems. In today's society, with so much use of computers and cellphones especially, the suggestions you offered are very important. I hope people will read and take it to heart. It will not only help them today, but in their future as they grow older.
Thanks, @shevans! I appreciate your input!
And I hope you find good care for your health.
I know many of us caused some significant damage to our spines back when we assumed we were indestructible.