Let’s face it: whether it’s work, play or to just kill time, we are obsessed with our smartphones and computers. And now people are complaining about their aching necks more than ever. Our obsessions with gadgets aside the main culprit is our horrible posture when using our smartphones or computers. We slump our shoulders and bend our necks for hours at a time throughout the day. Some have even named it ‘text neck’ due to the growing number of people struggling with sore necks. Chronic neck pain has become an epidemic in today’s world.

When we crane our necks at an unnatural angle when texting or browsing the internet, we put a significant amount of strain on our cervical spine and on the surrounding muscles. Our spine is forced out of alignment and our muscles tense up to compensate for the burden. Over time, this leads to chronic pain, pinched nerves even herniated discs. Worse, constantly having our necks forward can lead to permanently altering the shape of our spine.

According to Dr. Kenneth Hansraj, chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, we are putting anywhere from 20 to 60 pounds of additional pressure on our neck and spine the more we crane our necks forward and down. 60 pounds! And that’s in addition to our head already weighing 8 to 10 pounds. Think of it this way, the average bowling ball weighs only 16 pounds by comparison. In other words, that’s an impossible load for our neck to carry even for a professional football player with a neck the size of a tree trunk.

I know it’s next to impossible to abandon our smartphones and computers. Many of us have to use them constantly for work not just play. Aside from limiting use though, there are legitimate steps we can take to remedy or prevent neck pain. Be aware of your posture. Stand up and stretch every half hour to an hour for a couple of minutes focusing on your chest, shoulders, upper back and neck. Make this a part of your daily routine.

Most importantly, look up! The sun may be shining. Hope springs eternal. Yes, I’m telling you to get off your phone or computer and go outside! Stop and smell the roses. We all need that reminder, myself included.

P.S. Would any of you guys like a quick tutorial on how best to stretch your neck and upper back to relieve fatigue and pain? Let me know!