Text Neck Syndrome: Serial phone users at risk of modern medical condition

Worldwide advancement in technology has seen children, teenagers, and adults getting glued on their phones and computers.

Whether to catch up with news, get entertained with TikTok videos, or keep communications with loved ones. People spend most of their days on these gadgets.

But with the digital age comes new medical complications, caused by spending long time on phone and computer screens.

The Text Neck Syndrome is a relatively new medical term that describes neck pain and damage due to looking down at electronic devices for prolonged periods.

Using smart phones is becoming a pain in the neck.

According to Dr. Ken Otieno, a physiotherapist, the syndrome is becoming prevalent and could lead to permanent damage on neck tissues.

Arising from long time use of mobile phones and other handheld electronic devices, the syndrome is a posture disorder resulting from excessive strain on the neck from looking down at any handheld mobile device, which can lead to headaches, neck pain, shoulder and arm pain, breathing compromise.

When using a smartphone, users often hold their head at an angle, which results in tense muscles.

“While the mental health harms associated with smartphone use are much discussed, the physical effects is also equally significant especially in the upper body hence causing chronic pain and discomfort,” Otieno notes.

“We used to treat back pain more but neck pain is becoming prevalent in a very alarming way from the habit of using the phone. The moment you bend down your normal curve is altered and neck subjected to pressure and the muscles under goes the spasm,” he adds.

Consequently, using devices and hand held electronics over a long period of time causes stiff neck, pain in severe cases numbs from the neck deviating to the hand. The young people are prone to this condition because of the enormously high screen time.

“The change in posture caused my muscle weakness and stress on the shoulder and neck,” the physiotherapist explains.

He explains that a normal standing position is facing forward with all the curves of your neck and spine are in correct alignment. But when you drop your chin on to your chest for a long period you are stretching the whole structure.

Without treatment text neck syndrome may lead to chronic pain, muscle imbalance, spinal misalignment and nerve compression.

Otieno notes that there has been a growing concern over the widespread cases of the syndrome.

However, people can manage and prevent it with proper awareness, posture correction and medical intervention.

He advises people in the work environment to elevate their laptops to a 90 degree angle and type while avoiding the hunched position.

“If text neck is caught early and is relatively mild, it may resolve with time when one takes timely and appropriate care such as improved posture. To prevent this condition individuals should be mindful of their postures hold devices at an eye level or elevated and use of accessories, like laptop stands and phone holders,” he explains.

Maintaining good posture and seeking medical advice if someone experiences symptoms can help people avoid or address text neck effectively.