Preventing "Text Neck"

Dr. Peter Lazarnick (Dr. Pete) and his staff see plenty of patients straining their back and neck by looking down at the screen on their devices.  You may have even heard this being called “text neck”. The average adult head weighs between 10 and 12 pounds, and neck muscles are meant to support the weight of the head in a neutral position.  Looking down at a screen increases the strain on your neck, as if your neck is carrying a lot more weight.  Tilting your head forward just 15 degrees adds enough force to double the weight your neck is supporting, and the greater the angle, the greater strain.  Many people who text with their chin near the neck are tilting the head forward 60 degrees, which increases the load to about 60 pounds! The good news is that you can make smarter choices about using your devices every day to reduce strain on the body.


Starting with good posture will always reduce strain on your neck.  Sit up straight with your shoulders lined up above your hips and your head upright. Hold your phone or device up higher rather than looking further down to see what is on your screen.  If you work on a computer a lot, position your monitor at eye level to avoid looking up or down too much. Stretching your neck is also important to reduce the risk of painful strain.  When your neck muscles are strong and flexible, it is less likely to have a spasm.  There are mobile apps available that can alert you when your phone is being held at a bad angle for your neck, and you can also set reminders on your device to take breaks from looking at the screen and to stretch throughout the day. Remember these tips when using your devices!


If you have questions about the services we provide, visit www.askdrpete.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Peter Lazarnick (Dr. Pete) in Carrollton, GA, call 770-832-2226.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tall People Problems

Whether it’s being able to see no matter where you are in a crowd or having a natural advantage in sports, tall people enjoy many priviledges simply because of their physical stature. But according to the American Journal of Epidemiology , a towering height is also a disadvantage with tall people more likely to experience health issues like back and neck pain. Located in Carrollton, GA, Dr. Pete Lazarnick (Dr. Pete) is passionate about treating patients of all shapes and sizes, including those who are tall. Here are three reasons why tall people may need chiropractic care and how we can help today! More Injury Prone Tall people are more likely to face serious injuries from everyday accidents and falls than the average person. With longer limbs and bodies, there’s more distance to the ground when a taller individual falls. This is why athletes who are lankier suffer from hip injuries and have a longer recovery time in contrast to the shorter athletes.  Spinal Injuries The taller you are
Read more

Laser Therapy

If you suffer from a variety of acute and chronic conditions, Dr. Pete Lazarnick (Dr. Pete) may recommend laser therapy as a way to treat the problem. This type of therapy allows the body to naturally heal itself by utilizing a combination of electric stimulation and laser technology. The goal of cold laser therapy is to deliver light energy units from red and infrared laser radiation, called photons, to damaged cells. Laser therapy is a treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue and is thought to help accelerate the healing process. In addition to simple back and neck pain, laser therapy has been utilized for a number of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, and sprains. This is because laser therapy can stimulate all cell types including muscle, ligament, cartilage, nerves, etc. If you have questions or concerns regarding chiropractic care or whiplash treatment, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the pr
Read more

Bicycle Injuries

Exercising and participating in sports is a great way to stay healthy! Many people enjoy bicycling, either for fun or athletics. What you might not realize is that you’re putting yourself at risk for a personal injury. Contact Dr. Peter Lazarnick (Dr. Pete) right away if you get hurt cycling. Located in Carrollton, GA, your local chiropractor treats patients who have been thrown from their bikes or fallen.   Bicycle accidents can result in many injuries. The most common trauma forms are concussions and damage to the neck and lower back. You also need to be aware of wear-and-tear injuries. Here is a list of the complications we treat:   -Misalignment -Head and neck pain -Numbness -Muscle discomfort -Knee tenderness -Lower back pain   Your body determines the treatment type and amount. Severe injuries need longer and more aggressive treatment. Your first appointment with your Carrollton, GA, chiropractor starts with an evaluation. Dr. Peter Lazarnick (Dr. Pete) evaluates your spine and l
Read more