Researchers warn of "text neck"

Researchers warn of "text neck"

"Text Neck" Symptoms, Researchers warn of "text neck", A NEW condition dubbed "text neck" is on the increase in the UK, with health professionals blaming the amount of time people spend hunched over their mobile devices, Sky News reported today. The condition is caused by phone users flexing their necks for extended periods of time and can cause permanent arthritic damage if not treated.
In some cases, patients can adapt to the flexed position and it becomes painful to straighten the neck out properly. text neck,
Cases of the condition, and other types of repetitive strain injury, have been on the rise as smartphones and tablet computers become increasingly popular.

Rachel Lancaster, of Freedom Back Clinic in Leeds, said she had treated thousands of patients for text neck.

"Text neck is caused by the neck being flexed for a prolonged period of time," she said. "Sufferers are increasing as the use of smartphones and tablet computers become more popular."

She added, "If people continue to put their necks in these positions the body will gradually adapt to the stresses."

Tips for warding off text neck include rotating the shoulders with your arms by your sides, taking regular screen breaks and sitting up straight while texting. "text neck" symptoms,

"text neck" symptoms, When to see a doctor

Neck pain doesn't always require medical care. But in rare cases, it can be a sign of an emergency. Seek immediate medical care if you experience:

* Shooting pain into your shoulder or down your arm
* Numbness or loss of strength in your arms or hands
* Change in bladder or bowel habits
* Inability to touch your chin to your chest


How to Improve Forward Head Posture

Forward head posture occurs when the head rests a few inches forward of the rest of the body. Forward head posture can lead to head, neck and shoulder pain. Long-term problems can include muscle strain, disc herniation, arthritis and pinched nerves. Luckily, you can prevent and reverse forward head posture through posture management and exercise. forward head posture, prevent forward head posture,

Instructions


* 1 Keep your head directly over your shoulders, and keep your spine straight. Stand with your back and head against a wall for a good idea of how your posture should look.

* 2 Perform simple and light neck exercises to increase the strength of your neck muscles. Place your finger on your chin, then move your head away from the finger without tilting up or down. Do this a couple of times every 20 or 30 minutes to improve your neck's muscular strength.

*3 Place your computer monitor even with your line of sight. This prevents you from staring down at a monitor and will help you maintain correct posture while working or playing video games.

* 4 Place a back support pillow in your car seat or your chair at work. When your lower back is properly supported, your head and neck will naturally rest in the correct position over the shoulders.

Source: ehow and couriermail