If you’re familiar with modern technology, then you’re probably also familiar with “tech neck.”
Whether you’re an office worker, stay-at-home parent, or student, if you rely on technology, you may have experienced the head, neck, back, and shoulder pain, as well as eye strain, that tech neck can cause. Left untreated, tech neck can lead to more serious problems.
At his practice in Wilmington, Delaware, and Springfield, Pennsylvania, Dr. Steven Grossinger helps relieve all kinds of pain, including the pain of tech neck. Board-certified in neurology and pain management, he has the experience to help his patients achieve exceptional results.
Are you dealing with neck pain of an unknown origin? Maybe it’s tech neck.
Tech neck (or text neck) occurs when the muscles in your neck and shoulders become stressed and sore due to overuse. This overuse results from looking at screens all day, hence the name.
Tablets, smartphones, and computers are a part of our everyday lives, so it’s crucial to practice proper posture, hold tablets and phones at an appropriate angle, and adjust your computer screen to an optimal height. Otherwise, you’re susceptible to serious neck issues.
Your head weighs 10-12 pounds when your spine is in a neutral position. However, when you tilt your head forward, your neck may be asked to support as much as 60 pounds. Imagine holding a 60-pound weight around your neck; pressure like that opens the door to tech neck.
Yes. Tech neck begins with neck strain, headaches, sore muscles, aching between your shoulder blades, and even neck spasms. If a professional like Dr. Grossinger doesn’t address this condition, tech neck can lead to more severe problems:
Your eyes also feel the strain of tech neck. Your eyes use muscles just like the rest of your body, and those muscles get tired after staring at screens all day. This eye strain causes fatigue and tired eyes, leading to blurry vision, dry eyes, and headaches.
Your central nervous system eventually makes musculoskeletal adaptations in the body if you continue to practice poor posture. Your muscles become imbalanced, causing a constant state of contraction. Other muscles become weak due to disuse, and pain follows.
As your neck and back muscles tense, the tightening creates more pressure on discs in your spine. Constant neck pressure also can cause tears in discs and disc slippage. Your discs then prematurely age, possibly leading to ruptures and excruciating pain.
Ruptured discs can pinch nerves and cause weakness and numbness in your arms. This may require surgical intervention.
During your consultation, Dr. Grossinger narrows down the factors that may be contributing to your neck or back pain. He conducts a musculoskeletal and neurological examination. He may perform EMG nerve testing or suggest an MRI evaluation to pinpoint the source of your problem.
After making a diagnosis, Dr. Grossinger develops an individualized treatment plan to relieve your pain and provide long-term support. To start, he explores nonsurgical solutions for your neck pain, including procedures that reduce inflammation and block pain.
Is an overuse of technology causing you pain? Don’t let tech neck lead to something more serious. Call Dr. Grossinger at the location most convenient to you, or request your appointment online.
