Hunching over a small screen can cause headaches over time.

People who regularly send text messages on their mobile phones were warned they could develop a new condition called ‘Text Neck.’

 

The ailment is caused by peering down at the screen which over-flexes the tissues and joints in the neck. This can result in headaches along with shoulder, arm and wrist pain.

Chiropractor Rachael Lancaster, said her Leeds-based company are treating thousands of patients suffering from the resulting repetitive strain injury.

‘Text neck is caused by the neck being flexed for a prolonged period of time. Sufferers are increasing as the use of smart phones and tablet computers become more popular,’ she said.

Ms Lancaster, who works for Freedom Back Clinics in Leeds, said ‘text neck’ can lead to irreversible arthritic degeneration if left untreated and anyone experiencing pain should get themselves checked.

‘Imagine sitting on your ankle sideways for 10 minutes. It would feel stiff and sore when you returned it to its natural position,’ Ms Lancaster said.

‘However, that is exactly what people are doing with their necks. If people continue to put their necks in these positions, the body will gradually adapt to the stresses. 

‘Because the head and neck move forwards, it will eventually lead to a reversal of the natural curve of the neck. 

‘Postural changes will then occur, which can lead to serious problems in this area.’

Tim Hutchful, of the British Chiropractic Association, said doctors were seeing an increased number of cases where overusing mobiles was contributing to neck and shoulder pain.

‘Our muscles are designed to flex and retract,’ he told Mail Online.

‘If you stay in a fixed posture for too long like peering over a phone you are putting those muscles under stress.’

Mr Hutchful said leaning the head forwards was like holding a 10 to 12lb weight away from the body.

‘Muscles will go into spasm if they have to hold such a position,’ he said.

He added that tall young women with slender necks were anatomically most at risk from neck problems, as were sedentary people not used to using different muscles.

Photo credit:  Woman Around Town

Via Daily Mail