How Mobile Devices are Wrecking Our Spines and Posture

Our mobile devices have become a part of our everyday lives. Fun fact, we use our mobile phones around 5 hours per day! Regardless of the device, phone, tablet, or laptop, they all have the potential to put a strain on our spine. When you look at the posture that people assume when texting, reading email, or browsing social media while on their mobile device or smartphone, you will see their head bent forward and rounded shoulders. This is not only very bad for the spine but creates problems in other parts of the body. The good news is that there are things that can be done to decrease the effects of ‘text neck’.

Text Neck

As our heads tilt downward, like when we look at our phones, the perceived weight of our head increases which puts more pressure on the muscles and bones of our neck and back. This change in posture can lead to tightness and tension in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. The spine supports the weight of our head and the more it is thrust forward, looking down, the heavier our head gets.

Forearm and Wrist Pain

The way we hold our phones in the hand can cause problems because, over long period of time, the muscles in out hands do not have time to relax. We have several muscles engaged to do this: the forearms, the wrist, and the neck.

If you are experiencing pain, sometimes shooting pain, in your elbow or wrist, your smartphone use may be the culprit. It is best to take frequent breaks from your phone and let the muscles in your hands, wrist, and forearms relax.

Sore Upper and Lower Back

The more strain and pressure your head exerts on your neck due to it being forward, the more common it is to experience back pain. In fact, both upper and lower back pain have been attributed to smartphone use.

The muscles that run along the spine help stabilize, control, and support the head. With forward head posture, you strain the muscles in your upper back and neck. What you may not realize is that similar strain is being put on the muscles in your lower back as well.

“Blackberry Thumb”

Using mobile devices can strain and eventually cause pain, in the small muscles of the hand. Using the keyboards on our smartphones or tablets, or playing games, can cause problems with the tendons, ligaments, and muscles of the hand, wrist, and forearm.

Headaches from Tension in Neck and Back

One of the most common symptoms associated with the use of mobile devices is headaches. These headaches often occur due to tension in the neck, strained muscles of the back or neck, or overworked muscles in the arms.Another common cause of these headache is eye strain due to string at the screen for extended amounts of time looking at small text.

There is little doubt that mobile device usage has become a serious problem in our society today. Chiropractic care can ease the pain and aid the relaxation of muscles in the back and neck.