Technology improves on the regular. What we never thought was possible now is. However, technology, at least in some aspects, can be harmful. For instance, while having the ability to carry a phone that connects to the Internet everywhere you venture is convenient, it has its share of drawbacks as well.
Precision Spinal Care sees firsthand the negative impact it has on the spine. We’d like to shed some light on the subject and share information about what you can do to help it — and it all starts with a Chelsea chiropractor.
General Information
Think about how you use your phone. You sit with it lower than eye level, causing you to bend your neck to look at it. This habit is causing you to overstretch your spine. Not only is it stretching the soft tissue, but it’s also doing the same to the spine.
If you’re only using your phone occasionally to read a text message, you may not notice any stress from it. However, a few minutes here and there on the phone isn’t how much the average person spends stressing their neck on their devices. In fact, statistics indicate the average person spends three hours and 15 minutes on their phone everyday, with some spending 4.5 hours straining their neck.
With the statistics indicating so much usage, it’s no wonder our Chelsea chiropractor has witnessed an uptick in neck pain patients over the years.
Symptoms
The symptoms of excessive cell phone use go beyond just having a sore neck. While you may have pain in your neck, you may have pain in other places because your musculoskeletal system is connected. Specifically, you may have pain in your shoulders and upper back. This pain can range from an intense or stabbing pain in one spot to achy soreness throughout. As you’re overworking your neck muscles, you may notice spasms as well.
If the pain isn’t enough, all that pressure you’re placing on your cervical spine can reduce your mobility, making it difficult to turn your head in different directions.
Moreover, your central nervous system is affected as you’re continuously stressing the neck, possibly causing you to experience headaches in addition to any pain at the site. It doesn’t help that you’re also hindering you’re breathing, which also can contribute to headaches.
The effects of text neck when you’re repeatedly partaking in phone usage with your head facing down can have a lasting impact on your posture and cause rounded shoulders.
How Our Chelsea, MI, Chiropractor Helps
The process begins with us figuring out about your cell phone usage, learning more about your medical background, and ruling out any other causes of your symptoms. Once our practitioner determines the reason for the problem and the severity of it, we’ll figure out a treatment approach most suited to your needs.
Oftentimes, your treatment will consist of our chiropractor performing one or more alignments. We use a specialized type of alignment known as NUCCA, which stands for National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association. Rather than focusing on your entire spine, our chiropractor will only work on the cervical spine. It’s a gentle type of alignment that targets the neck area.
We’ll also provide you with lifestyle advice to help you reduce your pain at home and lessen the impact cell phone usage has on your spine.
At Precision Spinal Care, our chiropractor understands in this high-tech world, it may be difficult to refrain from cell phone use. Therefore, we want to help you combat the effects and help ease the pain and other symptoms using a natural approach.
Book an appointment with us today if you have text neck. You may use our convenient online form or call us at 734-433-9564.
