A Natural Treatment for Text Neck Syndrome

What is Text Neck Syndrome?

Text neck syndrome is a common injury that stems from a combination of poor ergonomics, unhealthy postural habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. This repetitive strain injury is commonly caused by spending too much time looking down at our phones, leading to pain in the neck and upper back.

The term text neck is used to describe these symptoms because of the way we tend to hunch over our phones when we text. It’s almost as if we’re trying to make our necks more flexible. The problem is that our necks aren’t made to be bent and twisted into such an unnatural position. 

Signs and Symptoms of Text Neck Syndrome

Text neck is characterized by a dull, constant ache in the upper back and neck. This pain may extend to your shoulders, upper arms, and even your forearms. You may feel pain or discomfort when moving your head, or even when holding it in a certain position. 

Other common symptoms include stiffness in the neck, headaches, dizziness, and trouble sleeping. Left untreated, text neck syndrome can become a contributing factor to a range of other chronic pain disorders, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Effects Text Neck Syndrome

The upper cervical spine is located at the very top of your neck. It’s made up of the first two vertebrae of your neck, known as the C1 and C2. The upper cervical spine is responsible for the mobility of your head and neck, as well as transmitting sensory information from the brain to the rest of your body.

When you look down at your phone with your neck tilted forward, you create an excessive amount of stress on the muscles, ligaments, and joints that support the upper cervical spine. Over time, this can lead to misalignment in the C1 and C2 vertebrae, causing a wide range of postural and musculoskeletal issues, including text neck syndrome.

How Our Text Neck Syndrome Treatment Works

Our treatment plan for text neck syndrome begins with a comprehensive assessment of your posture and neck mobility. If we detect a misalignment, our expert chiropractor, Dr. Hoeferor, will use cone-beam computed tomography scans and digital X-rays to ascertain the exact angle and location of the misaligned vertebra.

Once the misalignment is identified, Dr. Hoefer will use a gentle, non-invasive chiropractic adjustment program to reposition the affected vertebra and improve the mobility of your neck. Keep in mind, while our treatment may alleviate the symptoms of text neck syndrome, you’ll need to implement more healthy texting habits to prevent the condition from returning at a later date.

If you’re looking for a natural and alternative treatment for text neck syndrome, we can help! Dr. Hoefer services Orange County, including Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Dana Point, San Clemente, and Santa Ana.