How To Remedy Tech Neck in Vacaville

Advances in technology have been remarkable, wherein it provided the world with easy access to almost anything nowadays. However, everyone got so fascinated with it that it became an addiction and has caused many of our Vacaville chiropractic patients to hunch over our devices for hours on end focusing on the digital screens.

Electronic devices pose physical harm in Vacaville

On average, an adult would spend a total of 2 to 4 hours each day reading and texting on their smartphones. Apart from being so fixated on our electronic devices, it also poses physical harm to each of us. An average adult head would weigh between 10 to 12 pounds. A head-on a neutral, upright position will put very little stress on your neck. However, bending it forward makes it problematic because your neck must work harder to hold your head in place.

The strain continues to grow every time you tilt your head forward an inch. When you bend your neck at 15 degrees, there will be 27 pounds of pressure applied to your neck. Holding it at a 60-degree angle will put a total of 60 pounds of pressure! Now imagine the amount of strain your neck has to endure.

Over time, the strain you get from bending your head forward tightens your neck muscles and puts your back at risk for injury. Tech neck can also cause a wide range of problems, including:

• Bad posture
• Herniated discs
• Neck pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Numbness or tension on your fingers

It is also better if you can prevent tech neck before it worsens. Through this, you can relieve yourself from its uncomfortable symptoms as well. Here are some ways to avoid this condition from happening.

1. Take a tech break. The best thing that you can do to keep the tech neck kinks at bay is to take regular breaks from your devices. Every half hour, stop and stretch while also resting your eyes to give them a break from your screen. A quick walk would be a nice thing to do during this time.
2. Sit up straight. Proper posture when using your computer, phone, or tablet should become a regular practice. To get an idea of the placement, make your ears align with your shoulders to put your head in a neutral position. Your screen should ideally be at eye level and avoid leaning into them. Adjust your devices instead of your body if you want to achieve the best viewing position.
3. Stretch it out. If you have experienced tech neck before, then your first instinct is to stretch out the tight muscles. The reason is that stretching can easily release tension. Try tucking your chin toward your neck and hold it in, stretch each side of your neck, and clasp your hands behind your back to open your chest. It may take some time to change your habits, but you will soon discover that good posture can get rid of a lot of your pain.
4. Move often. The more you exercise and strengthen your muscles, the more you can avoid the pain of tech neck. Moderate moves like shoulder rolls can help correct muscular imbalances. Add exercises that focus on strengthening your neck, back, and core muscles to your routine so that you will have more support and stability in your body. Apart from helping you avoid neck and back pain, these activities can also improve your posture.
5. Get professional help. If your tech neck has advanced beyond the point where these tips can relieve it, then come visit us at Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA. We offer treatments like spinal decompression, which is an effective way of treating such a condition. If you wish to see us for your tech neck, just give us a call by dialing (707) 474-5688 and set up an appointment today.