Text neck is a very real condition that is caused by staying in a prolonged �texting� position � hunched shoulders and neck tilted forward. As a result, the back, neck, and shoulder muscles become overworked and your spinal structure is actually changed. Many people who spend a lot of time on their mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, develop this condition (and others including �cellphone elbow� and tendinitis of the wrist and hand) and it can be very painful, even causing mobility problems. More than 95% of Americans have a smartphone or mobile device and most people spend a great deal of time on their devices � it is easy to see how this is a common problem.
What Exactly is Text Neck?
A normal human neck has a slight curve to it that travels along the spine. It is part of the intricate system that supports the head and body. However, a person with text neck will have a straight cervical spine. Their neck will not have that slight curve and that is a problem.
The cause of the absence of the curve is because of the position that the head stays in for such long periods of time. The average adult human head weighs between 10 and 12 pounds. When the head is upright, the neck supports it and the slight curve gives it the stability that it needs.
When you keep your head tilted forward, such as when you are hunched over your smartphone or mobile device, your head is thrust forward instead of sitting over the balanced curve of the cervical spine. The gravitational pull is greatly increased and the neck is already in an unnatural position. This combination places unnatural and damaging stress on your neck. It is like carrying around an additional 60 pounds on your neck.
Symptoms of Text Neck
In the early stages of text neck, a person may feel some tightness in their shoulders, neck, and upper back. This may progress to discomfort in those areas and eventually pain. If left untreated, you can develop pinched nerves and herniated discs.
Your central nervous system begins at the base of your skull, so it extends down your neck and upper back. When you put unnatural pressure on your neck, you are also affecting your nervous system, causing it to malfunction. This can lead to pain throughout your body, stiffness, headaches, low back pain, and problems with your hands and arms.
How to Prevent Text Neck
Text neck is surprisingly easy to prevent. Your first step is awareness. Over two or three days, take some time to be very aware of your body�s position. Carefully examine your posture while you go about all of your daily activities. It is important to remember that text neck is not strictly confined to texting. You can get it any time you have your head bent down for an extended period of time, such as when looking at a laptop screen or even writing for a long time.
The best way to avoid the problem is to keep your devices at eye level. If you have a handheld device, hold it up at the level of your eyes instead of bending your neck to look down. The same goes for your laptop; arrange it so that your screen is at eye level.
Chiropractic for Text Neck
If you are already suffering from the effects of text neck, your chiropractor can help reverse the condition if it hasn�t progressed to disc degeneration (even then he or she can help with associated pain). Regular chiropractic treatments, along with following expert recommendations for screen heights, can help reduce the pain and discomfort. It is smart to address these issues before they become a bigger problem. Your chiropractor can help.
There are plenty of people who say that chiropractic made a significant difference in their lives, relieving pain and increasing mobility. Still, some skeptics want scientific proof that it helps with managing pain and, in many cases, eliminating it altogether. While chiropractic patient testimonies are great, included here is a collection of cold, hard, facts � scientific studies on chiropractic care and its effectiveness in treating pain.
A Systematic review of evaluations of chiropractic care for pain management.
This review, published in August 2016, examined six randomized controlled trials and three full economic evaluations to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic care as compared to exercise therapy, physical therapy, and medical care. Chiropractic care was found to be comparable to or better than all three of these, particularly when managing pain.
They found �moderate evidence� that showed chiropractic care helps just as much as, physical therapy. The evidence in the other areas was limited, but still gave chiropractic high marks.
Spinal manipulation for treating low back pain is as effective as more traditional treatments.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health studied several clinical trials and reviews regarding chiropractic care. Time and again, chiropractic was found to be at least as effective as other pain-reducing interventions.
Chiropractic patients can have more days of being pain-free while avoiding surgery, invasive medical procedures, and medications that have harmful side effects. In one study, they found that chiropractic care is as effective as or better than more conventional medical care for as many as 18 months.
Chiropractic patients are less likely to use prescription pain-killers like opioids.
James �Jim� Whedon, DC, MS, is a researcher at the Southern California University of Health Sciences�and is co-chair of the Research Working Group of the Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health. He examined the records of 33,000 adults in the New Hampshire All-Payer Claims Database who registered as experiencing lower back pain. A little more than a third of those received chiropractic care. Of that group, only 38 percent had one or more prescriptions for an opioid, but that number jumped to 61 percent in the group who did not receive chiropractic care.
Upon examination of the related circumstances, Whedon concluded that the chiropractic patients were 57 percent less likely to fill an opioid prescription. This is a testament to the effectiveness of using chiropractic for pain relief.
Overwhelming research shows that chiropractic care is usually the best option when treating pain.
The American Chiropractic Association summarizes a number of studies and research findings that support the use of chiropractic care for pain. These studies recommended chiropractic as a safer, effective alternative to pharmaceuticals.
Others advocate incorporating chiropractic care with physical therapy and exercise for optimal results. One study (Goertz et al. (2013), Spine) asserts that using chiropractic manipulative therapy along with standard medical care provides a �significant advantage for decreasing pain and improving physical function…� Others show that it reduced the chances of the patient having to undergo surgery and could manage their pain without drugs.
The evidence is overwhelming. Yes, regular chiropractic care can really help a person to live pain-free. It also helps to follow the chiropractor�s recommendations regarding lifestyle changes and diet as well as taking any supplements that he or she advises.
While spinal manipulation is a big part of chiropractic care, it isn�t the only part. The chiropractor may recommend special stretches to do in between sessions or special supplements that can help the body to heal. That is what makes chiropractic so effective; it treats the entire body, not just the symptoms.
Gardening is a favorite warm-weather activity for many people. Unfortunately, it can often send them straight to the chiropractor with back pain and stiffness. If you enjoy your garden but your back doesn�t take heart. An estimated�80% of the population has experienced back pain�or will experience it at some point in their lifetime.
It is common, but it doesn�t have to keep you from doing the things you enjoy. There are some fairly simple things you can do to make it easier and less painful.
Stretching is a good way to prevent back pain for nearly any activity. The more limber you are and the more warmed up your muscles are, the more comfortable you will be while you are gardening and afterward.
Stretches for gardeners�aren�t all that different from stretches for other activities. You need to address your hamstrings, triceps, and of course your back. Then you will be ready to get in the dirt and do what you love.
Use Back Friendly Tools and Gardening Methods
It may feel wonderful to get close to the dirt as you dig, breathing in its earthiness, feeling at one with nature, but your back likely does not hold the same appreciation. You can mix it up a little, but allow at least part of your gardening time to the use of tools that are �back friendly.�
Long handled and telescopic tools allow you to do your garden work without overworking your back. This is also great for people who don�t have full range of motion in their backs or who have trouble getting up and down.
Another back saver is a raised container garden. This will put your garden within easy reach, saving you from trying to get on the ground or, worse, feeling like you have to forego a garden because you can�t get around like you once did.
You can set the containers at whatever height you choose and include benches and seats for more comfortable gardening. If you do get on the ground, knee pads or a mat can help reduce some of the stress and prevent some pain.
Change Your Position Frequently
It�s easy to get in the zone and lose track of time, only for your body to remind you when you try to move and are met with painful stiffness. Carry a small timer with you and set it so that you are reminded every 30 minutes to stop, walk around, and stretch a little. This not only prevents pain and stiffness, but it also helps with your circulation and blood flow, even digestion.
You can also vary your garden tasks so that you don�t over-tax a single muscle group. You may weed for a while, then move to your potting bench for a while or pruning trees or shrubs. It isn�t good to stay in one position for too long no matter what you are doing. A physical activity like gardening, though, requires more movement.
Take Care when Bending, Reaching, and Lifting
Gardening involves a lot of reaching, bending, and lifting. When you don�t do it correctly you would wind up with a�sore back�� or worse.
To lift:�Don�t bend at your waist. Squat, grasp the object with both hands while pulling it close to your body. Straighten your legs slowly, letting those muscles to the work of lifting. You may also use a dolly, wheelbarrow, or wagon to move heavy items around and minimize the need to lift them.
Push:�Pushing doesn�t strain the back as much as pulling does. Push your seeder, wheelbarrow, and lawnmower and try to avoid pulling as much as possible.
Reaching:�Be careful when you reach, especially if you are reaching to lift. Even something that doesn�t weigh much can throw off your balance or cause you to twist your back. Try to minimize lifting while reaching as much as possible.
Bending:�Keep your knees soft when you bend and try bending from the waist. If you are doing a task that requires bending, take frequent breaks where you can stand upright. If you bend to lift, make sure you use proper lifting techniques.
Gardening can be wonderful for the mind, body, and spirit. It can also be painful if you don�t take the necessary precautions. When you go out to tend your plants, remember these back-saving gardening tips. Your back will thank you.
Every day construction workers lift, stoop, bend, reach, push, pull, twist, and climb. It�s no wonder that 25% of construction worker injuries are to the back. An estimated 1 in every 100 construction workers misses work because of a back injury with an average of seven missed work days. Many just power through the pain which isn�t healthy and can lead to further injury and pain. Repeated back injury and failure to take care of the back by taking proactive steps to prevent injury, can lead to permanent damage, even disability. That can end a construction worker�s career.
Chiropractic care can help keep the spine healthy so construction workers can stay on the job and be pain-free. Regular treatment can offset the stress that is put on the body each day in this rigorous, physically demanding profession. There are several benefits that a construction worker can gain from seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis.
It helps to maintain mobility
When muscles are stiff and sore, it is natural to try to avoid moving too much. When a person has pulled muscles, or they have a muscle strain, their first instinct is to protect that area. This can lead to stiffness and lack of mobility, especially if the pain is in the back. A painful lower back can make it difficult to move your legs, bend, or even move about normally. Chiropractic helps to relieve the pain and reduce the stiffness so that mobility is restored.
The range of motion is improved
Stiffness can lead to a limited range of motion. If the spine is out of alignment, it can decrease flexibility and significantly limit the joint�s range of motion, whether it�s the back, shoulders, legs, or neck. Chiropractic brings the spine into the correct alignment which improves range of motion.
In one study, 73% of the participants reported an improvement in their back pain. This means fewer missed days of work and much more productive on the job. This is one of the most common reasons that people seek chiropractic care, but it isn�t the only reason. It can help with so much more.
Corrects muscle imbalance
Workers who perform repetitive motions can experience muscular imbalance. This means that some muscles are tight (the ones being used) and others are not being worked as hard. It can cause pain in the area of the muscle as well as in other parts of the body.
A chiropractor can perform a technique called myofascial release to loosen the tight muscles. At the same time, they will recommend exercises for the muscles that don�t get worked as often so that the body can come back into balance. Muscular imbalance can also cause spinal misalignment so the chiropractor will also do an adjustment to bring the whole body back into balance.
Helps the body heal from injuries
Construction injuries are fairly common on a worksite. Most are fairly minor and tend to be ignored by the person until they are in so much pain they can�t function properly. Back strain is a common ailment among construction workers, and it can put someone out of commission for a week or more.
Chiropractic care helps the body heal faster and more efficiently by focusing on the whole body instead of just the part that hurts. The patient receives the treatments at the chiropractor�s office then goes home with advice on lifestyle changes, supplements, and exercises to facilitate and speed healing.
For anyone in the construction industry, especially if their position is physically demanding, regular chiropractic care just makes sense. It keeps the spine healthy and the body moving as it should. It is a simple, natural, effective way to help the body function correctly � because pain is not normal.
Back pain and neck pain are common symptoms brought on by auto accident injuries, sports accident injuries, personal/work accident injuries. The daily actions affecting their wellbeing of an individual can be ultimately affected by symptoms. A group of patients discuss�their neck pain and spine pain symptoms and how they improved when they saw Dr. Alex Jimenez. Chiropractic focuses on the identification, therapy, and prevention of a number of accidents/injuries and/or aggravated conditions related to the musculoskeletal and nervous system.
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Teachers do a lot in a day. They stand for long periods of time, they stoop and bend, pick up children, carry stacks of papers, and sit for long periods while they grade papers. It�s no wonder that so many teachers end up with aching backs! While low back pain is the number one cause of disability worldwide, it�s easy to see how teachers may be more susceptible to experiencing it.
Chiropractic care can help keep teachers standing upright and moving about � as well as other great benefits. A teacher with back pain can�t be as effective as they would be if they weren�t in pain. It makes it harder for them to do their job. Regular chiropractic care can help offset what their body goes through in a day and relieves the pain so they can do what they love � shape young minds.
What Teachers Do
Teaching is a tough profession. The typical teacher arrives at school before it starts (usually between 6:30 am, and 7:30 am) and they don�t leave until well after the last bell has rung (often between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm). They grade exams during their vacations and spend hours preparing lessons, quizzes, activities, and tests. In middle and high school, they teach five or six classes a day which means a lot of talking and a lot of standing. Combine the stress with the physical demands of the job, and it�s no wonder aching feet and backs are the bane of a teacher�s existence.
The Impact of Teaching on the Body
There have been several studies that explore the effects of the physical demands that are put upon a teacher. One study analyzed the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in special education teachers and teachers� aides. It found that the three areas most affected were the wrist, shoulder, and back. It found that 86% of the teachers who participated had physical pain and musculoskeletal condition. Another study examined teachers in a municipal school network in Brazil. It found that:
41.1% complained of foot, leg, and knee pain (lower limbs)
23.7% complained of shoulder, neck, and wrist pain (upper limbs)
41.1% complained of back pain
A third study that assessed teachers in Malaysia reported that 62.5% of the teachers surveyed complained of low back pain.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Teachers with Low Back Pain
Several studies show that chiropractic care is a very effective treatment for back pain. The chiropractor will perform a spinal manipulation to bring the spine (and body) into proper alignment. He may also offer advice on exercises, stretching, and ways to improve posture as well as recommending lifestyle changes and what to look for in supportive shoes. Chiropractic�s whole-body approach not only helps relieve back pain, it helps prevent it as well.
Additional Benefits Teachers can Gain from Chiropractic
While less back pain is great news for teachers, there are other benefits they can reap form chiropractic as well. That�s because it doesn�t focus solely on the back or pain, it looks at the whole body. Every day teachers put a lot of stress on their bodies, bending over to help a child with their work, standing to give a lecture, sitting for hours grading papers, and reaching to write on the blackboard. All of this can take a toll on the body, not just physically, but in other ways as well. It can result in headaches, insomnia, and even frequent illness. A chiropractor can address all those things and make recommendations regarding lifestyle and diet as well as spinal manipulation.
This allows the patient to gain whole body benefits from chiropractic.
When you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, whether you are going on a long trip or your job requires you to drive around town all day, it can be a real pain � in the back. Many car seats may be comfortable for short rides, but they are not built to support the back on the long hauls. However, there are some things that you can do to offset a non-back friendly seat design and alleviate, or even prevent, back pain while driving.
Create a Comfortable Space
Before you settle in behind the wheel, you want to make sure that you are comfortable. Keeping things like your wallet and cellphone in your pocket may be convenient when you are moving about, but can be an irritant when you are sitting on them mile after mile. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Any discomfort can put stress on your body so even if it is not necessarily pain related, it can exacerbate pain as your body�s sensitivity heightens in response to the pressure.
Adjust your seat so that you are comfortable, but sitting reasonably upright. If you recline, it could put stress on your neck and upper back, causing pain. Your seat should also be high enough so that you can place your feet flat on the floor � at least for a while (you can do this while driving if you have cruise control). There should be a slight bend in your elbows as you reach for the steering wheel and you should not have to stretch to reach the pedals. Make sure that your mirrors are adjusted so that you don�t have to bend or crane your neck to get good visibility.
Put Together a Healthy Back Kit
Bring along some things to help keep your back comfortable and pain-free � even if you�ve never experienced back pain while driving. There is always a first time. Some of the items you might want to bring along include:
A towel that you can roll up and place behind the small of your back
A lumbar support pillow
A cold or hot pack
Something for pain relief
A cushion for your car seat to absorb the vibration
Water (so you can stay hydrated)
Essential Oil like lavender or peppermint (put a few drops in a carrier oil and apply to the sore areas)
Take Breaks and Move a Little
Driving straight through without any breaks is never a good idea. It can make you more tired, stiff and sore � and less alert on the road. Instead, take breaks to get out of the car, walk around, and stretch. When you move, you stimulate your circulation which brings oxygen and vital nutrients to your muscles. You�ll feel better, be more alert, and will be less likely to experience back pain.
Stopping every hour or so will help considerably with alleviating back pain. It doesn�t have to be a big production, walk around for a few minutes, stretch your neck, shoulders, and back, then get back on the road. In between stops you can move your ankles up and down or rotate them to increase circulation to the lower leg. You should also adjust your position or your seat about every 20 minutes. Even these slight movements can help keep the blood flowing which will prevent your muscles from getting stiff and sore.
Regular chiropractic care, as well as a consistent exercise routine, can help prevent back pain in many situations, including while driving. Your chiropractor can also recommend some back strengthening exercises and stretches that will help make your spine even healthier.
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