Mobile phones are a regular fixture in modern life. Everyone has them, from the maids sweeping your house to the CEOs in their high-rise office. Along with other handheld electronic devices, they have helped make the world a smaller place, at least digitally. We can call someone halfway across the globe and talk to them in real time. We can learn new languages while sitting in the comfort of our homes. We can send rapid-fire text messages to anyone we want to. Oftentimes, people spend hours bent over their phones or tablets, playing games, perusing through news articles, or chatting with friends, family and colleagues. Despite its widespread usage, the harmful effects of such devices are not widely known. One common, but detrimental, health concern is the Text Neck, as coined by Dr. Dean Fishman.
What is it?
As the name suggests, Text Neck is a medical condition caused by pouring over your phone for long periods of time, such as when you’re texting. This position with you looking down at your screen puts a strain on the back of your neck and is caused by cervical spinal degeneration. This medical condition is not only caused by the overuse of mobile phones but of most handheld electronic devices, such as your tablet, your e-book reader, and your MP3 player. Combining this overuse of handheld electronics with a sedentary lifestyle can also help to speed up the onset of this health condition.
Most Common Effects
If you still need convincing as to why you should maybe be spending less time hunched over your phone, maybe the dangerous ways in which Text Neck influences your health can persuade you. Most obviously, this increased pressure on your neck by dropping your head down to look at your screen for hours at a time can lead to physical pain in your head, neck, shoulders and back. Text Neck can cause abnormalities in your spinal curve, such as leading to a hunchbacked posture. It can also have psychological side effects, due to the nerves in your spinal cord being pressed. This can lead to anxiety and depression disorders, as well as other changes in your behavior and emotions. In some cases, the wear and tear of your spine become so much that it could require surgery to correct it.
How Can You Avoid It?
The simplest way to avoid Text Neck would be to cut back on the amount of time you spend on your mobile phone or other electronic devices. Other solutions include getting adequate amounts of exercise in your day, as well as eating a balanced nutritional diet. Furthermore, you should avoid using said electronic devices on your bed, as well as your laptops. Instead, you can try lifting them to eye level, so you do not put as much pressure on your neck and spine.
Mobile phones, tablets, laptops and other handheld electronic devices are not always the boon they seem to be. While they do make your life much easier and more streamlined at times, excessive use can also be very detrimental to your health.