THE HEAVY WEIGHT OF TEXTING TOO MUCH

The constant use of phones for texting has given rise to a new-age ailment that gives rise to chronic pain in the neck – called Text Neck.

Increasingly common, especially among youngsters, this is the term associated with the damage and pain that is sustained from constantly hanging your neck down to look at your cell phone or tablet. The hours spent hunched over in a constant position take their toll, leading to severe neck pain and soreness. (IHNA, Australia)

When you’re looking straight ahead with your arms at your side, about 10-12 pounds of pressure is exerted on the neck, a 2014 study published in Surgical Technology International found. Look down 15 degrees and that number jumps to 27 pounds. At 30 degrees, it’s 40 pounds; at 45 degrees, it’s 49 pounds; and 60 degrees, it’s a whopping 60 pounds. Considering most us bend our necks between 20 and 45 degrees when we’re using our phones, that’s a lot of undue stress on the spine. (Good Housekeeping)

Symptoms of Text Neck include pains, strains, pinched nerves, dizziness, neck and shoulder pains, chronic headaches, curvature of spine and herniated discs.

How to prevent? Limit use of electronics, call instead of texting, practise good posture, do periodic stretches, and hold your phone at eye level.

(Image: Spine-Health via @drvipulaggarwal)