Chiropractic Care Rock Hill, SC | Kimble Chiropractic Center

Texting a Lot? You May Need a Chiropractic Neck Adjustment

If you’re suffering from neck pain, then yes, you might be suffering from text neck – and this activity can lead to “some very real pain” according to Your Next Text Might Lead to Text Neck.

A simple downward movement of your head may not seem that significant. But, as the Washington Post points out, the human head weighs a dozen pounds, more or less. And, as you look down to text, you’re putting pressure on your cervical spine. If the angle is 15 degrees, the weight of the pressure is about 27 pounds. Looking down 30 degrees? That’s 40 pounds. At 45 degrees, you’re looking at 49 pounds – and at 60 degrees: 60 pounds.

To put 60 pounds of pressure into context, the article suggests you picture lugging an eight-year-old child around your neck for several hours a day. This can actually create early wear and tear and even degeneration of the spine, and the average high schooler is probably spending 5,000 hours in this position annually, thanks to texting.

Symptoms of Text Neck

These can include:

  • “upper back pain ranging from a chronic, nagging pain to sharp, severe upper back muscle spasms”
  • “shoulder pain and tightness”
  • “sore neck”

If this situation is not addressed, then cervical nerves can become pinched, adding to the pain and “possibly neurological symptoms radiating down your arm and into your hand or up into your head causing a headache.”

Dealing with Text Neck

Approximately 79 percent of people in the United States keep their cell phones with them wherever they go, spending only two hours daily without cell phones in hand. So, one way to reduce text neck is to check your mobile devices less often. Or, lift your device up to your eyes rather than looking down at it. If you are looking down at a computer screen on a desk at work, get up and stretch hourly.

Consider doing neck stretching and strengthening activities as often as three to five times daily. This could involve moving your head from left to right, using your hands to provide resistance. Then move your head forwards and backwards. And, depending upon the severity of the condition and degree of pain, you may need to seek medical help.

In Need of a Chiropractor for Neck Pain in Rock Hill?

If you are suffering from neck pain, then contact us at Kimble Chiropractic Center to discuss how to find drug-free pain relief. We will investigate the root causes of your pain, not automatically assuming it’s text neck, taking a complete case history and conducting a thorough exam.

We will examine your spinal structure and function, and create a treatment plan for your specific situation. Rather than prescribing medications, we use carefully directed and controlled pressure to address the problem. When our patients have chiropractic treatments, they often respond dramatically to the drug-free treatment that we provide.

You can find more information about how we use chiropractic treatments for neck pain. And, to get started, you can contact us online to make an appointment or call Kimble Chiropractic Center at 803-327-6155 today.