- By Prerna Targhotra
- Mon, 14 Oct 2024 05:57 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
What Is Tech Neck: We all are guilty of staying on our phones and laptops for far too long. Most work is done on technology and you ultimately don't have a choice but to use it. A tech neck is what you get due to bad posture while using technology excessively. When you use your laptop or your phone in a position that compromises the shape of your spine it can lead to stiffness and pain in your spine and neck.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Ashis Acharya, Senior Consultant Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Unit, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital New-Delhi talked about tech neck and ways to deal with them in a healthy way.
Symptoms Of Tech Neck
- Discomfort and aching in your lower neck region, upper back region and shoulders. This pain may feel like it was caused by built-up stress but it can indicate towards you having a tech neck.
- It hurts to move your neck, extreme stiffness and inability to move your neck may also be a symptom of you developing a tech neck.
- Pain in the jaw, tech neck often causes misalignment in your cervical spine which can lead to jaw pain.
- Pain in arms and hands, you may experience tingling pain in your arms and hands. This happens due to the irritated and inflamed spinal nerve.
- Shooting sharp pain at just one pinpointed location.
- Pain in the eyes
- Headaches
Ways To Deal With Tech Necks
Take Regular Breaks During Screen Time
It is advisable to take regular breaks after you have been sitting in front of your screen for 30 minutes. Getting up, stretching out or walking a little, prolonged screen time is a major cause for tech neck and breaks in between screen time can help you with it.
What Is Tech Neck (Image Credits: Canva)
Correct Your Posture
When you look down for too long on your screen, you are bending your spine. If you adjust your table to be at an eye level with your screen then you may be able to avoid all the spine bending and your screen time will cause you less harm. You should correct your posture yourself when you feel like you have been sitting in an odd posture for too long. Sit in a dynamic posture, straighter with good spine support.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help you get rid of the tech neck you have developed. Physical therapy will target the joints that need attention. Through these steps, you can heal your tech neck and even prevent yourself from getting a tech neck.
Consult Medical Practitioner
Tech neck is a manageable condition and with minimal adjustment to your workspace, consistency exercises and stretching you can treat it. In case the pain persists and bothers your daily routine, seeking professional care is essential.