Mobile phones are causing ‘text neck’

• Text neck is a prolonged stress injury and pain caused by excessive handheld device use.

• It results from prolonged use of mobile phones, leading to musculoskeletal problems.

• Symptoms include neck pain, restricted cervical range of motion, reduced muscle strength and endurance, altered cervical joint position error, and postural alterations.

• 79% of individuals aged 18 to 44 have their phones virtually all the time, with only two hours of their waking day spent without them.

• The load increases towards the neck with the flexion of the head, causing neck strain and accelerating the process of ageing in the cervical spine.

• Common symptoms include headaches, stiffness, shoulder pain, and persistent neck pain.

• If ignored, text neck can lead to serious long-term consequences such as spinal curvature flattening, early onset of arthritis, spinal misalignment, spinal degeneration, disc space compression, disc herniation, nerve or muscle damage, inflammation of cervical ligaments, nerve irritation, and an increase in spine curvature.

• A case study of a young IT professional with severe neck pain and neurological weakness led to the removal of a large C56 disc and the replacement of an artificial disc.

• Treatment can include lifestyle changes, physical treatment, posture correction, stretching exercises, screen time reduction, ergonomic workstations, supportive chairs, and regular pauses when using a laptop or phone.

• Surgery may be considered in cases where the spine has sustained structural damage.

• Preventing text neck is easier than treating it, and early awareness and conscious practices can significantly protect spinal health in the digital age.