Did you ever wonder why your neck or upper back hurt so much lately? It might just have to do with the technology you spend so much time with. The average human head weighs about 10-12 pounds. Your body can easily support its weight while in the normal neutral position.
Unfortunately most of us do not practice good posture. We are so plugged in and attached to our phones or other devices that we are constantly looking down putting incredible stresses upon our spines. These stressors accumulate over time, wearing down the spinal bones and discs. These postures become permanent, the changes irreversible. Most people spend 2-4 hours a day with their heads tilted forward reading and texting on their smartphones. That is a cumulative 700 – 1400 hours of excess stress on the cervical spine. Teenagers can triple or quadruple that amount. Unfortunately we now give toddlers and elementary school children devices to keep them busy, like an electronic pacifier.
While it is impossible to avoid these technologies that cause these issues, individuals should make an effort to use a neutral spine and avoid spending hours hunched over a device each day.
