Have you ever heard of the term "smartphone neck"? In modern society, everyone, from children to adults, uses smartphones.
It's a convenient and indispensable tool, but using it for long periods of time at work or at home can put a lot of strain on the body.
This time, we will explain the effects of "smartphone neck" on the body.

〇What is "smartphone neck (= straight neck)" that troubles modern people?

Our spine is made up of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacrum vertebrae, and is shaped like an S.
This distributes the load on the spine. However, when using a smartphone or computer, the posture of the hunched back is often increased.
When the head is positioned forward, the shape of the cervical vertebrae becomes straight. This condition is called "smartphone neck" or "straight neck."
In other countries, exchanging emails using a mobile phone is called "Text," so it is known as a "Text neck."

〇What are the symptoms of smartphone neck?

The main symptoms include neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and eye fatigue, and posture can also become hunched, with the head positioned forward and the lower back arched.
If it becomes severe... Symptoms include numbness in the arms and hands, muscle weakness, and dizziness. The curvature of the neck also reverses.
This can lead to cervical kyphosis and cervical disc herniation.

What effect does exercise have?

1. Impact of symptoms When smartphone neck becomes severe, it can cause neurological symptoms such as numbness and muscle weakness in the arms and hands.
This can prevent athletes who use their hands from performing to their full potential.

2. Posture effects When you develop smartphone neck, your posture deteriorates and certain muscles become stiff, while others become weak.

Stiff muscles: back of neck, front of chest, lower back, front of hip joints
Weakened muscles: front of neck, back, stomach, buttocks

Janda calls this type of muscle imbalance "muscle imbalance."
Muscle imbalances can lead to poor sports performance.
Furthermore, in sports that require twisting the body, such as golf, it becomes difficult to move the chest, which should be twisting.
Instead, twisting your lower back can cause back pain.

〇What should I do?

In modern society, it is difficult to live without using smartphones and computers, but it is important to avoid hunched posture.
The following exercises are also effective:

1. Lie on your back and tuck your chin
2. Extend your arms straight up towards the ceiling
3. Bend both knees at a 90-degree angle and lift your feet
4. Tighten your abdominal muscles and keep your hips from rising
5. Slowly stretch your right arm and left leg, lowering them until they are just above the floor.
6. Return to the original position and do the same on the other side
7. Repeat 10 times alternating left and right

summary

In modern society, mobile phones and computers are unavoidable tools, but prolonged use can have a significant impact on the body and exercise.
Be mindful of your posture and exercise regularly to avoid smartphone neck.


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Author
Ryota Ishii, Physical Therapist at Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic

Supervision
Dr. Yasushi Sera, Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic

Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic https://sera-clinic.com/