Technology is a huge part of our lives but what is it doing to our spine?
Spine pain and dysfunction
There has been a large increase in the number of people suffering from neck pain, headaches and back pain. A large factor is the advancement of technology. While it is making our lives easier in some ways, it is also changing how we live.
More and more younger people are reporting spine pain and it makes sense. If you look around you people are always on their phones looking down at the screen. This leads to increased pressure on the spine, discs, nerves, and muscles. At the time this may not be an issue, but as this progresses it can lead to symptoms like pain, headaches, tingling and so on.
According to the Mayo Clinic Health Letter, long-term forward neck posture leads to “long-term muscle strain, disc herniations, and pinched nerves.”
It’s not just about pain
Incorrect posture and strain on the spine can lead to other problems than pain. In the journal Cephalgia, in regard to respiratory dysfunction in chronic neck pain patients, a recent study “demonstrated a strong association between an increased forward head posture and decreased respiratory muscle strength in neck patients.”
Be aware of your posture
When on the phone or tablet try to hold it up directly in front of you. Not only does this give you a nice arm workout, but it takes the pressure off your spine. The same is true when at a computer. Try to look directly at your monitor and not down or to the right or left. It isn’t hard but it does take awareness on your part to be better about your posture.
A great stretch is the doorway stretch where you stretch your pectoral muscles and take the pressure of your upper back musculature.
To get your spine checked by a chiropractor or for more tips on improving your posture come check us out at Express Chiropractic of Frisco. No appointment is ever needed! We look forward to seeing you soon!