More than 60 percent of the total world population uses smartphones. Smartphone users put their necks at risk whenever they text, according to research done by the University of South Australia. Unfortunately, this can lead to neck pain and other problems.

It is popularly called “text Neck” and causes the spine to be enormously stressed by producing an alteration in the natural curve of the neck. This alteration can lead to discomfort of the muscles, joints, and nerves.

There is nothing inherently wrong with using your phone, this is the 21st century and everything has gone digital. The concern is more about your health and how it is being affected by the improper use of your smartphone.

This may sound unusual, but if you do not use your phone properly, and that means staying in the right position as you use it, you may experience a host of problems. These problems include dry eyes, neck pain, headaches, and others.

There is no need to forsake your phone entirely. Rather, it’s best to become aware of the solutions to all the side effects that you might be experiencing using your phone.

bad posture on cellphone

Holding the phone too low can cause neck pain

Neck Pain Associated with The Use of Your Phone

There is no doubting the fact that the world is now more connected that it was a decade ago. In Canada for example, a Canadian will spend two and a half hours every day using their mobile device. This is according to research by ComScore. It is probable that when you are always looking down to do one or two things on your phone, you will develop pains in the neck.

You may have seen this yourself because more people are getting accustomed to their phones as their primary “tool of life” during the day. They strain their necks at angles that are not healthy just to send or read that text message, browse for that coffee spot, or what videos of their children. This will definitely contribute to neck pain and other problems when done repeatedly over time.

Why Do These Pains Occur?

Normally, phone users will slightly bend their neck forward when they want to read or write a text message. Sometimes, they will also tilt the neck to the side and put their legs and the upper body in unhealthy positions. By assuming this type of posture, you put pressure on the spine, and this will contribute to discomfort.

For more articles on neck pain or back pain, check here.

Some of these pains occur because when you text a friend or browse with your head bent, it is your spine that usually feels the most effect because of the change in pressure. These positions are unnatural, and when you accumulate extra force it may result in a stressed spine. It basically comes down to physics, geometry and anatomy.

Spine problems from bad posture

Person sitting poorly on cellphone while texting can cause neck pain

Below Are the Possible Ways You Can Avoid Neck Pain from Using Your Phone

• Look Forward and Not Downwards
You should endeavor to bring your mobile device to the level of the eyee and never below the eyes, this will help you to stand and sit straighter. If, on the other hand, you have your phone below eye-level, you should avoid looking down with your neck bent. You can still look at the device using the eyes without having to bend your neck.

• Always Check Your Posture
If you will be using your smartphone for a considerably long period of time, you should try to find a chair on which you can sit and relax comfortably. Avoid leaning on one side of the body when you want to use your phone.

• Break Time
When using your phone, do not use it continuously without taking a time out to stretch out the muscles. It is also recommended that you should make a phone call rather than spending long hours to type a text message.

• Stretches
During your time out you should always stretch to relax the muscles. Here is a good stretching protocol for posture https://youtu.be/jaEAMxoC0dQ and a good reminder of our posture https://youtu.be/iKt32bBqBzk