07/07/2016
With the popularity of of cell phones and texting, a new condition becoming more prevalent. The following information co"mes from the Institute for Integrative Therapy.
"Forward Head and Text-Neck
Two conditions that have become extremely common are forward head posture and text-neck, both a result of too many hours looking at our computer and phone screens. Forward head is a condition where the head is forward on the spine, causing pain in the neck and down the arms. As a rule, for every inch the head moves forward from a neutral position, the pressure on the neck vertebrae and muscles increases by about 10 pounds. Strengthening the muscles that retract the neck such as the lower cervical extensors and upper cervical flexors along with stretching of the sternocleidomastoid, scalene muscles and splenius capitis will help to correct this forward posture, reducing pain in the neck and pain and numbness down the arms.
The human head weighs about 10 to 12 pounds. When the head is in a neutral position, that weight can be supported by the neck muscles, but when the head is 30 degrees forward, the weight on those neck muscles increases to about 40 pounds. When the head is held forward 60 degrees, that weight increases to about 60 pounds pressure on the neck muscles. When we hold this position for any length of time, we create a repetitive use injury for our neck muscles, which is commonly called text-neck (often a result from using our phones too much). Tilting the head forward for as little as 2 to 4 hours per day has been shown to cause significant damage – even resulting in the need for spinal surgery."
Massage can help with releasing tight muscles as well.