While walking down the sidewalk, most pedestrians are distracted by a mobile device. Many of these people are texting as they go. Everyone texts nowadays, and many use it as their sole source of communication. Too much texting is hazardous to your health.
Text head is back or neck pain caused by looking down at a mobile device for extended periods. Looking down at a phone puts a lot of extra strain on the spine. The head is heavier than it looks, and by looking down at a phone or tablet, the muscles in the neck and back are under a lot of strain.
Symptoms of text head include:
- Sudden or chronic pain in the upper back
- Pain or tightness towards the front of the shoulders
- Pain associated with a pinched cervical nerve
Standard Mobile Device Posture
The posture looks a bit like this: chin tucked in, rounded shoulders, and a slumped upper back. Prolonged rounding of the back will lead to more rounding of the back. What this means is that the more you slouch, the easier it becomes. Bad posture leads to worse posture. The physical curving of the back (kyphosis) weakens the postural muscles and elongates them.
In addition, rounding the shoulders forwards leads to tight muscles in the chest and shoulders. When put together, these two symptoms are a breeding ground for poor posture. Texting can cause some serious pain. Take breaks when your back and neck start to feel fatigued and try not to text and walk. If you absolutely have to text while walking, step away from the main flow of pedestrian traffic.
Call Us For Help
For relief from the aches and pains of text head, contact your HROSM orthopaedic specialist at (757) 873-1554 for further steps to take to address your issues. Our providers can help you find relief.
Aside From A Stiff Neck, Walking And Texting Have Other Risks
Scientists have noticed an increasing trend in pedestrian accidents in recent years, and this increase is a result of using a mobile device while walking. In a 2014 press release, Dr. Dietrich Jehle had this to say about texting and walking, “When texting, you’re not as in control with the complex actions of walking. While talking on the phone is a distraction, texting is much more dangerous because you can’t see the path in front of you.”
