What Is Tech Neck?

The AHA! Team — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 05:15:42 +0000

University of Miami via Newswise – A University of Miami Doctor of Physical Therapy explains what it is and what we can do to alleviate its symptoms. All the new technologies that have become a permanent part of our lives: Smartphones, tablets, computers, laptops and others have brought us constant connectivity, access to friends, news, information, and entertainment. But the constant use of these devices has also generated a physical condition that can be a real pain in the neck. Experts say that between 27 to 48 percent of workers experience neck pain each year. About 73 percent of higher educaton students do, too. Tech neck, also known as text neck, is a condition characterized by pain, stiffness, and discomfort in the neck and shoulders caused by prolonged use of electronic devices. About 91 percent of Americans own a smartphone and spend an average of four-to-six hours a day looking at the screen, according to experts. So, it is important to understand the causes of tech/text neck and what to do to alleviate it. Phil Grattan, a board-certified orthopedic specialist and an assistant professor of clinical physical therapy at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Physical Therapy, shares some insights on the condition. What is tech neck? Tech or text neck refers to neck pain and potential cervical spine degeneration resulting from the repeated stress of keeping the head flexed (bent forward) while looking down at the screens of mobile devices, tablets, or while texting for long periods of time. Why does this happen now more than before? Since the introduction of the iPhone in June 2007, the use of smartphones has exponentially risen among the entire population. According to a recent survey by Harmony Healthcare IT in 2024, Americans spend on average 5 hours and 16 minutes per day on the phone. For Generation Z, this increases to 6 hours and 27 minutes per day. What role does the continuous use of smartphones and tablets aggravate it? The average head weighs 11 pounds. Keeping the neck bent at 30 to 60 degrees to view a smartphone or tablet places excessive strain on the posterior neck muscles and stress on the cervical spine in an attempt to hold the head in that position. This may lead to neck, upper back, and shoulder pain. What can be done to get rid of the pain? Be cognizant of your posture when using a smartphone or tablet. Bending the head forward for a sustained period of time should be avoided. Limit the total number of hours spent looking at your phone over the course of the day. If you need to look at your phone for a long period of time, take frequent breaks. Every 10-20 minutes is recommended. When using your phone, try to keep the head straight and bring the phone directly in front of you. Using a pillow to support your arms when using the phone while sitting can also help. Use ergonomic support devices, when possible, to position your smartphone or tablet as close to eye-level as possible. Ensure the device is directly in front of you, not towards one side. What exercises or treatments do you use and recommend to get rid of it? If neck pain persists, seek care from a medical doctor who can provide treatment and/or refer you to the appropriate health care provider. Physical therapists are providers who can help improve posture, provide education, and prescribe strengthening exercises and home neck stretches to help alleviate the symptoms. To read the original article click here.

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Goodbye to Back Pain with “DynaSeat” – an Office Syndrome Behavior Adjustment Seat

AHA Publisher — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 07:00:50 +0000

Chulalongkorn University via Newswise – A team of Chula doctoral students has created a smart “DynaSeat” to adjust sitting behavior to prevent neck pain and promote fast recovery after office syndrome. When it comes to office syndrome, many people are more or less familiar with this popular digital-age disease, be it neck pain, shoulder stiffness, tingling from the upper arms to the fingertips, that compromise the quality of life and work. There are many ways to cure the symptoms, including relaxation massage, medication, acupuncture, and physical therapy. Additionally, one can buy a fascia and muscle relaxant device. The symptoms may improve for a while but will chronically recur because the root cause has not been solved. “Office Syndrome” is an ailment that takes time to accumulate. By the time one notices the symptoms, they are already suffering and healing takes time. One of the main reasons is poor posture and prolonged sitting. Therefore, the proper sitting position is one way to prevent office syndrome. Nipaporn Akrakittichok, Biomedical Sciences Program, Chulalongkorn Graduate School and Phuriphat Wawngernngam, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences explained the initial concept of DynaSeat, an innovative behavioral adjustment seat to prevent office syndrome that just won a Gold Medal and Very Good Award in a Collegiate Innovation Contest 2020 at the Thailand Research Expo 2020. According to the research team, DynaSeat has three main components: an inflatable seat, a controller, and an application with two functions designed to adjust sitting behavior. “The first function is Dynaseat that will inflate the air into the seat forcing the users to move when they are uncomfortable, unbalanced, or sitting poorly for too long. A red light indicates that the user should correct the sitting position. Report of user’s sitting behavior is available in real-time on the application on how the user sits — crouching, leans to the left, or crossed-legged, for example. The analysis is done by pressure sensors that measure the pressure of the airbag in the seat, so the users can learn how to adjust their sitting posture to prevent stiffness. Once the posture is correct, the indicator will turn green,” said Nipaporn. The other function is DynaRest which reminds the user to get up after a while. “When the Dynaseat user has been sitting for a long time, the system will remind the user to get up and take a break from work. A timer is set to see if the user is away for less or more time than specified by the program. Increments will be rolled over to the next cycle. This program allows the user to move and not to sit still for prolonged periods of time.” Nipaporn cited the results of the experiment that Dynaseat prevented up to 70 percent neck pain and 80 percent back pain in the samples who tried the smart seat. “We also tested people with neck pain from office syndrome, and found that using Dynaseat, along with physical therapy, improved neck pain problem for patients in as little as 1 month, compared to the typical 2 months most of the patients would usually need for symptoms to subside.” Using Dynaseat, along with physical therapy, improved neck pain problem for patients in as little as 1 month This research project came under the supervision of Professor Dr. Prawit Janwantanakul, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and received support from Chulalongkorn University Technology Center (UTC), Srithai Auto Seats Industry Co., Ltd., and Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI). At the moment, Dynaseat is in the commercial development process to come up with a marketable design at an affordable price for consumers. In the future, we are planning to expand the project to cover other areas such as airplane seats, public transportation, movie theatres, etc.,” concluded Nipaporn. To read the original article click here.

The post Goodbye to Back Pain with “DynaSeat” – an Office Syndrome Behavior Adjustment Seat appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

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What Is Tech Neck?

Goodbye to Back Pain with “DynaSeat” – an Office Syndrome Behavior Adjustment Seat