Tech neck is a modern day problem

After a long day at work we often find ourself massaging our neck/shoulder. That tightness and soreness in the back of your neck can be aggravated after a long day at work.

Where does this neck pain come from? And why is it always sore after a long day at work. For many of us, this neck pain doesn’t come from an acute injury or trauma, it actually comes from the position we are holding our neck in all day long. The term we often use for this condition is called “tech neck,” or cervical kyphosis.

What is tech neck?

Technology-related neck and shoulder pain is a result of ongoing poor posture that puts extra weight and strain on the neck and shoulders.

More people are struggling with “tech neck” after they spend hours per day looking down at their phones or computers. While this positioning may not seem all that dangerous in the moment, it can actually put a great deal of extra weight and strain on your head and neck. In fact, depending on your positioning, it can put up ~25 kg of extra weight on your neck. Multiply that by hours spent looking at your phone or computer all day—and it is easy to see why the neck/shoulder region can feel so sore and uncomfortable by the end of the day.

Tech neck can lead to mid-back stiffness, certain types of headaches, neck pain and can even disrupt your sleep.

So, what can you do to prevent tech neck?

• Raise your phone and computer to eye level

• Invest in a stand up desk and ergonomic office seat

• Stretch your neck eg. look up to the ceiling

• Take more microbreaks at work

• Exercise - at least 30 mins a day

• See your chiropractor (BOOK HERE)

Not sure where to start to alleviate your neck pain. Reach out to our friendly staff at Epoch Health.