A Natural Treatment for Text Neck Syndrome
Have you heard of text neck syndrome yet? This condition has been on the rise, even in teens and children. While technology offers many conveniences, there is always a drawback.
Text neck syndrome refers to neck and back pain that develops when spending long periods hunched over personal technology devices. The unnatural posture that comes from always looking down at cell phones, laptops, or gaming consoles has been the source of much suffering for a growing number of people.
Signs and Symptoms of Text Neck Syndrome
The forward-leaning position people hold when looking down at personal technology devices causes stress that can result in a wide range of problems. In mild cases or early stages of text neck syndrome, people may have aches or stiffness in the neck and/or shoulders. For some people, this is accompanied by headaches or eye strain.
In more severe cases, people suffering from text neck syndrome may experience sharp or shooting pains, a decreased range of motion in the neck, nerve pain, numbness, or tingling in the neck, shoulders, or upper arms.
While many adults suffer from problems with text neck syndrome, the condition is becoming more prominent in teens and children since kids now spend so much time on their devices. Untreated, the condition can continue to get worse.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Text Neck Syndrome
In the neck, there are the top seven vertebrae that make up the upper cervical spine. This part of the spine is in a very vulnerable place. It sits just below the brain stem at the junction of clusters of nerves going down into the spine. It supports the weight of the entire head. The top two vertebrae make up the atlantoaxial joint, which is responsible for the movement of the neck and head.
The average weight of a human head is about 11 pounds when straight; as you extend your head forward and downward, pressure on the vertebrae increases. At a 45-degree angle, the pressure the head puts on the upper cervical spine is nearly 50 pounds. Holding this position for long periods puts stress on the spinal column, weakens the muscles, and can force the vertebrae out of alignment. Misalignments can cause many problems, such as swelling, inflammation, pinched nerves, misfired nerve signals, or slipped discs.
Upper cervical spine problems can be serious enough for adults, but for children and teens, whose bodies are still developing, text neck syndrome can cause lifelong health problems.
How Our Treatment Works for Text Neck Syndrome
Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. Unlike traditional chiropractic methods, which involve swift twists and jerks to the body, the modern Blair Technique utilizes a low-force yet more precise adjustment.
With the advanced diagnostic tools, Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau use advanced 3D imaging to carefully examine the upper cervical spine. Pressure can then be applied without guesswork to quickly and effectively make the necessary adjustments.
The Blair Chiropractic Technique is a safe, drug-free, non-invasive treatment for text neck syndrome, making it ideal for both adults and children alike. A properly aligned spine will not only alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms caused by text neck syndrome but help the body to then develop and function optimally.
Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau at Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder are Blair practitioners who work to bring relief and long-term health benefits to patients. If you suffer from text neck syndrome, call our offices. Our areas of coverage are Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver in Colorado.