Anterior Head Syndrome or Forward head posture

It is estimated that people spend 2 to 4 hours daily with their heads bent over their smartphone while on their morning train commute, at work, school, or even while walking in the streets. This adds up to 700 and 1,400 hours a year of increased stress and pressure on the spine.

Have you guys ever heard of the term "text neck?" Text neck also known as Anterior Head Syndrome has been labeled to describe the curvature of the spine that may possibly be caused by the overuse of the head, neck, and shoulders due to long periods of time spent looking down at a smartphone, mp3 player, tablet, or any other wireless device. 

A person should be upright, so the spine is vertical, head up, and eyes forward while using a smartphone. Are you reading this email on your smartphone right now with your head tilted down? How about trying this while reading the remainder of the email, sit back, square your ears with your shoulder, lift your phone, and eyes forward.

Most individuals with a smartphone will tilt his or her head 20, 30, or even 60 degrees to look down at their phones to check their emails, browse through social media, and text messages. The spine carries the weight of your head, which in adults approximately weighs between 8 to 12 pounds. Imagine what carrying around a 60 weight can do to your head, neck, shoulder ,and spine. Ouch! ... this can place tremendous stress on the body that can potentially lead to damage of your cervical spine and neck. 

Signs and Symptoms of "Text Neck"

•     Pain/soreness in the neck, back, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, wrists, and elbows
•     Poor Posture
•     Chronic headaches 
•     Excessive use on a smartphone may possibly cause wear and tear on the supporting structure of the spine such as ligaments and muscles
•     Pinched nerves
•     Decrease range of motion
•     Numbness and tingling felt in the upper extremities

Lets be realistic the smartphone has become an essential part of our daily lives and people won't stop using them because we need access to our phones. The best we can do is to use them better. 

Here are some ways you can  prevent "Text Neck," that can help save your neck and spine from serious damage:

•     Hold your phone higher in front of you rather that at your stomach or below your chest
•     Avoid bending the neck forward and down
•     Look down with your eyes, not your neck
•     Remember to stretch periodically in various directions
•     Take frequent breaks from your smartphone
•     Don't use when not needed

Chiropractic Care is a nonsurgical alternative that can help reduce related symptoms of "Text Neck," or Anterior Head Syndrome that can help restore your posture, regain range of motion, improve spinal function, help take pressure off the nerves, and alleviate the pain. Chiropractic neck adjustments can help loosen up the joints of the cervical vertebrae in the neck, and this can help reduce the pain caused by pinched nerves and muscle spasms. Text neck can take a huge toll on your body and spine overtime. If you have any questions or concerns, give our office a call today and schedule an Upper Cervical Chiropractic Appointment!