Cellphones have changed our lives in a multitude of ways – many of them good, some not so good. Many neurosurgeons are adding a new item to that not-so-good category: text neck. Doctors report an increasing number of patients complaining of upper back and neck pain, and many are diagnosing it as “text neck”, the result of too many hours spent bent over a screen and texting.
Common “text neck” symptoms include:
- Upper back pain ranging from a chronic nagging ache to severe muscle spasms.
- Shoulder pain and tightness.
- If a cervical nerve becomes pinched, pain and possibly tingling and numbness radiating down the arm to the hand.
Tips for reducing symptoms of text neck
You can reduce symptoms by:
- Holding your phone at eye level
- Take frequent screen breaks
- Place your office computer screen so when you look at it, your head is squarely in line with shoulders and spine.
