“Don’t sit so close to the TV”. “Stop looking at the screen or you’re eyes will become square”. These are things that you’ve likely heard before regarding the misuse of technology in our time, and it appears there may be condition that is going to join these ‘lessons’. According to a group of researchers at New York Spine Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, individuals who heavily use smartphones put additional stresses on their spine and over a prolonged period of time can cause a condition they are calling “Text Neck“. As the above diagram illustrates, the more your head is tilted forward, the greater the force exerted on your spine, which eventually leads to wear and tear on your spine that may not have been intended.
The paper that details this research crucially pinpoints the fact that an average 7 year old child could require surgery if allowed to continue using smartphones for prolonged periods of time with bad posture. Of course, this fate can be avoided with a simple conscious decision to view your smartphone or mobile device in a more upright position which is a much better scenario for your spine’s future health.
What do you think about “Text Neck”? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Surgical Technology International XXV via BGR
