Hero Post 016 | April 23, 2025

The Rise of Text Neck: Spinal Health in the Digital Age

📅 Context

With rising smartphone dependence, ‘text neck’ has emerged as a modern musculoskeletal disorder, marked by neck pain, postural issues, and accelerated spinal ageing, especially among young adults.

🔍 Focus

Understanding the causes, symptoms, complications, and prevention strategies for text neck syndrome in the context of contemporary digital lifestyles.

📊 Key Themes

• Repeated stress injury from prolonged device use
• Postural deterioration and musculoskeletal impacts
• Early interventions and lifestyle adjustments
• Role of physiotherapy and structured treatment

💪 Causes and Impact

• Smartphone usage keeps the head in a forward flexion for long periods.
• Neutral head weight: 10-12 pounds; at 60° flexion: 60 pounds.
• Poor ergonomics, inadequate breaks, and improper workstations exacerbate the problem.

💊 Common Symptoms

• Neck pain, stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain.
• Tingling or numbness in arms or fingers in severe cases.
• Potential consequences: spinal curvature flattening, early arthritis, disc degeneration, nerve compression.

📈 A Real-World Case

• IT professional presented with severe radiating neck pain and poor grip.
• MRI showed a herniated disc compressing a nerve root.
• Underwent endoscopic disc removal and artificial disc replacement.
• Recovered quickly and returned to work within a week.

🛏️ Treatment and Management

• Physical therapy: ultrasounds, manual traction, cervical muscle exercises.
• Postural training: stretching, strengthening, McKenzie exercises.
• Lifestyle changes: screen time reduction, ergonomic workstations, supportive seating.
• Surgery only in severe cases with structural damage.

🔢 Prevention is Key

• Maintain active lifestyle.
• Hold screens at eye level.
• Practice conscious posture habits.
• Early awareness and structured preventive strategies are crucial.

🧰 GS Paper Mapping

🌟 Reflection

In a world wired for connection, the true signal of wisdom lies not in the screen we bend towards, but in the spine we stand tall with—for health is the hidden network on which all dreams are built.