The mobile phone. What a fantastic invention! Instant access to the internet with all that information at our fingertips. No more trips to the library to thumb through enormous encyclopedias. Social media. A great way to keep in touch and share information. Online shopping, banking, texting and emails. No longer dependant on opening hours and “snail mail”. Brilliant!
It has been reported that the average time most people spend looking at their phone is around four hours per day. For many people it can be a lot more than this.
Unfortunately, there is a downside. Looking at handheld devices for long periods puts a strain on your head, neck, shoulders and upper back. This has been given the name “Text Neck Syndrome”.
As well as pain and headaches, your heart, lung and digestive function can become compromised due to the physical compression of the chest caused by a continuous hunched posture. As the mobile phone is a relatively new invention, the long term effects of phone usage on our general health may not become apparent for several years. Children use phones and the effect on their growing skeleton remains to be seen.
Nowadays, most of us would be lost without our phone. They are so useful. Those of us who are over thirty, wonder how we managed in the old days. If you would like some advice about prevention or treatment of Text Neck Syndrome, please ring chiropractor Sheila Stakim from Emsworth Chiropractic Clinic on 01243 373721. Or Email: info@emsworthchiropracticclinic.co.uk