Today’s blog has little to do with ultrasound. It does however concern your health. The subject du jour might be affecting you at this very minute as you use your phone, computer or tablet to read this blog.
OUCH
As you work, study, type, check e-mail, text, play games or do whatever else you use your devices for, do you find yourself tipping your head from side to side in search of that elusive stretch. Why? Your neck hurts!
“TECH NECK”
Tipping side to side, front to back and head rolls may bring relief from what I just discovered is called “tech neck” and it is starting to affect many people in a serious way. The “work from home” phenomenon where the less than optimal workspace seems to be a contributing factor.
WHAT IS IT?
Tech neck is described as the pain experienced when the cervical spine (neck) is tilted forward for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown individuals spend approximately four hours per day staring at their smartphones. The misalignment of your head relative to your neck can cause pain. The average head weighs about 10 to 12 pounds when bent forward. Tipping forward about 60 degrees creates a load of as much as 60 pounds on your neck!
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION…
Have you seen people with hump at the base of their neck? It is called kyphosis and is more commonly known as dowager’s hump. It can result from chronic forward leaning. Along with maintaining good posture, the following tips from goodpath.com could help with dowager’s hump as well as tech neck.
- Evidence shows that regular stretching and strengthening exercise helps improve flexibility and strength of your muscles as well as the ligaments and tendons that support them.
- Take breaks. Research shows break periods are very beneficial in preventing and lessening neck and other musculoskeletal pain by allowing time for you to stretch and change positions. These changes help lessen the effects of maintain a forward head posture.
- Ergonomic changes. Organize your workspace ergonomically to lessen the stress on your body. The couch or your bed with your device on your lap may not be the most ideal position for the health of your neck, shoulders and back.
- Maintaining good posture is the best way to prevent problems.
IN THE LONG RUN
Are there long-term effect of untreated tech neck? The answer seems to be yes. Due to the anatomy of your neck and nearby structures, headaches, shoulder pain and upper back pain are possible. Continued wear and tear on the neck leads to changes in the cartilage and vertebrae of the cervical spine. Over time, the spinal nerves may be affected (pinched nerve.)
HDD
High Desert Doppler can’t help with your tech neck. Only you can prevent that. We can however help when musculoskeletal ultrasound is indicated. We can see detailed, real-time ultrasound images of muscles, joints and cartilage. If we can help, call us at 505-350-3397.