Watch Out for Incoming Tech Necks!

By Dr. Patrick Gallagher

 As readers know, I like to break things down to the basics. What is a “tech neck,” and why should we be concerned? 

Tech neck describes the forward-head posture that can develop from spending too much time staring at a smartphone. Over time, you may start to resemble a turkey buzzard! Beyond appearances, this posture can put added strain on your body. 

The clinical term is anterior head carriage. In simple terms, your head sits too far forward. Your head can weigh up to 18 pounds, and the farther forward it moves, the harder your neck and upper back muscles must work to support it. Your shoulders may round forward, and your spine may become more hunched. 

Here’s an analogy: Imagine your skull is a bowling ball. Would you rather hold that ball against your chest or at arm’s length for 16 hours a day? 

Poor posture can also restrict chest expansion, making deep breathing more difficult. And, sadly, we often see well-meaning parents handing smartphones to children who haven’t even taken their first steps just to keep them entertained. 

My advice to patients is simple: Don’t bow to your cell phone!