Tech can be a real pain in the neck – literally. It’s National Spinal Health Week and the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) has released alarming new data that reveals tech neck is a real condition affecting millions of Australians.
Not surprisingly, the data showed that 80 per cent of smartphone users who rarely take breaks from their device suffer neck pain compared to 60 per cent of users who did take regular breaks.
Tech neck – also known as tension neck syndrome – has reached a point where 78 per cent of respondents in the ACA study needed to take pain relief tablets while 47 per cent needed prescription medication to treat their pain.
The data also shows a high number of gamers affected by tech neck with 83 percent of women affected compared to 65 per cent of men.
A combination of long periods of screen time, poor posture, non-ergonomic device use is having a physical impact.
And most people affected tend to be younger.
Chiropractor Terry Coulits from Sydney Spinal Care in Maroubra says tech neck is a problem affecting a lot of children and teenagers.
“They’re growing up with devices whether that’s an iPad or a phone,” Dr Coulits told Tech Guide.
“Basically every kid’s got one and they’ve got their neck hunched forward causing a lot of issues particularly postural issues which can later develop into spinal issues, neck pain and headaches.
“It’s definitely on the rise.”
But there are things we can do to prevent further harm.
“If you’re going to use your device – rather than having the device down so your head is forward – bring it up to eye level so at least your head is straight forward,” Dr Coulits said.
“It’s more about teaching them how to use their device and how to hold it.
“It’s just like computer screens – you try and have it at eye level.
“We need to educate the younger generation to have it at a particular position that’s not going to strain their neck and put them in a vulnerable position – and it’s the same for adults, of course.
“It’s more awareness and trying not to spend too much time on their screens and having little breaks as well.”
The unfortunate issue is that younger people who spend a lot of time looking down at their devices are also more likely to develop future neck and spinal issues.
“I’m very big in preventative education. That’s something we always trying to impress on the parents and the kids,” Dr Coulits says.
“Even with my own daughter, it’s the same thing we’re always on them with constant reminders because they get into habits and they get lazy and they can get comfortable in certain positions.
“You have to constantly remind them and hopefully it clicks and they start to change their habits.”
According to a Deloitte access economics report, musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) including tech neck has also had a significant economic effect costing more than $55 billion annually through health costs and loss of productivity.
The ACA recommends Australians change their thinking around their device usage by taking regular breaks, moving often, improving their posture and interacting with their devices in a more ergonomic fashion.
