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It’s Time To Look Up!
Health | January 22, 2015
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!
Private Member |
Yes please! Thank you in advance! xoxo
Private Member |
new fairfield, ct
yes that would be great, I have chronic neck pain for years now. Thanks
Private Member |
hailey, id
Thank you for this article. I’m at a computer all day, but I force good posture the whole time. I’m tired and distracted at times, though, but that doesn’t stop my mind for watching out for my NECK. With 5 car wrecks to my name, I must be so careful. The routines of yours were a bit tough on my neck at first, but I got stronger in my shoulders and back and now my neck is not affected by the routines. So – the more I look up to your expertise, the more I benefit. Other than that – I go for evening / nighttime walks to look up to the stars as much as possible… and pray.. I love that…… thank you again xxoo
Private Member |
Sure, Zuzka. Stretching videos that could help us not only with neck but to stretch entire body and joints would be wonderful. Also I was about to tell you that it would be great to have few videos of abs exercises! Thanks, see you, take care.
Private Member |
Would love a stretching tutorial! And if you ever have time for exercises to better posture, that would be amazing! I know I can look them up, but I usually find ones that are not interesting. I would love to learn fun ones, if they exist!
Private Member |
mtl, qc, canada
Yes please, stretching for neck and shoulders
Private Member |
usa
Great post! My co-worker was telling us the other day about how her chiropractor was say how afraid he is for future generations. People spend so much time slumped over computers and phones that they end up causing damage to themselves. Bad posture doesn’t just affect your back and neck, but it can lead to other health problems as well. If you do a stretching tutorial, could you maybe incorporate some office friendly stretches?
Private Member |
birmingham, al, usa
Yes! I would love a tutorial on stretching our necks and and upper back.
Private Member |
montreal, canada
Love the picture, you look cool
Private Member |
Yes a tutorial is a great idea! Also I was thinking that maybe you can make random posts throughout the day reminding people to straighten up. Obviously they are looking down at the phone or computer while reading your posts ;P So it might get a giggle out of us getting caught in the action plus remind us to straighten up. I know my posture is awful!