What is Text Neck in Kids?
More and more kids are using smartphones these days for communication, education, and entertainment. Modern phones are such useful tools and have become so essential to our daily lives that they are being put into the hands of children at very young ages. Unfortunately, this convenience comes with a price: the rise of text neck in children and teens.
Text Neck is a postural problem that develops when the head is extended and/or pointing downward for long periods. With the head in this position, the muscles in the front of the neck lengthen and those in the back of the neck become taut and short. The weight of the head in this imbalanced position puts strain on the ligaments and can knock the vertebrae out of alignment.
Signs and Symptoms of Text Neck in Kids
When a child begins developing text neck, you may notice a difference in their posture. You may notice they strain their neck forward when using devices, and perhaps even when not using devices the head may sit at a forward angle when your child should be standing straight. In more severe cases, the shoulders may hunch or the upper back may curve.
The child may complain of aches and pains in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Your child may also complain of headaches.
Text Neck and the Upper Cervical Spine
The uppermost seven vertebrae running from the base of the skull through the neck is the upper cervical spine. The vertebrae can be strained by improper posture, leading to text neck syndrome. This can cause the vertebrae to be knocked out of alignment, causing inflammation, swelling, and compression of nerves.
The problem will not remain confined to the neck; as the body attempts to shift to compensate for the misalignment, it can put stress and pressure on other joints, bones, ligaments, and muscles going all the way down. Children who are still growing are at a higher risk for developing more serious musculoskeletal health issues once they suffer from text neck.
Avoiding Text Neck
It probably comes as no surprise to parents that limiting your child’s time on devices can help prevent text neck syndrome. In addition, you can remind your child to sit up straight and hold up devices when using them, and take frequent breaks. Physical activity can also help prevent or lessen the severity of text neck syndrome.
Treating Text Neck
While avoiding text neck is great, unfortunately, it may be too late for a lot of children. At that point, correcting any misalignments of the upper cervical spine can help correct the problem and prevent further damage. Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder can help. Our doctors are upper cervical spine specialists trained in the Blair Chiropractic Technique.
If you’re worried the traditional chiropractic adjustments, with startling jolts and twists, may be frightening for your child (or for you), fear not: the Blair technique does not involve this type of treatment. Instead, Blair practitioners begin with state-of-the-art 3D diagnostic imaging technology to compute your child’s unique anatomy and target any problem areas. This helps eliminate the guesswork so the doctors can make precise adjustments.
Adjustments are then safe and effective, using minimal pressure. Once realigned, your child will feel relief and the body’s natural healing mechanisms will kick in to restore wellness. The Blair technique is a non-invasive, drug-free way to ensure your child’s growing body and bones stay on the right course.
Beyond treatment for text neck syndrome, you may wish to add chiropractic check-ups to your child’s regular health routine as a preventative measure. We service patients in Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver in Colorado.