In the last decade, the increased use of smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices has resulted in more individuals taking on a slumped posture. They spend excessive amounts of time looking down to check email, browse the web, play games, or use social media. This forward head posture can place added strain on the neck and mid-back. The risk for pain in these areas increases because of the slumped posture. That’s hardly news to anyone.
Smartphone Study
In 2017, researchers conducted a study using a smartphone app designed for office workers with neck pain. Based on the users’ responses to questions about the nature of their neck pain, the app provided an individualized neck exercise program. This program is to be used for ten to twelve minutes a day, three days a week, for eight weeks. At the end of the program, the participants reported significant improvement in neck pain intensity, disability, and improved quality of life. However, the app did not appear to improve fear avoidance behavior or cervical range of motion.
An experiment was conducted in 2020 with an app that promotes neck pain self-management through stretching and deep breathing exercises. Researchers found that this approach resulted in improvements with respect to pain intensity, muscle tension, pressure pain threshold, and cervical range of motion.
There’s an abundance of research showing that neck-specific exercises can benefit patients with neck pain. So, these results aren’t very surprising. However, apps have the ability to remind users to perform their exercises and track their progress. This is important since exercise protocol adherence is often an issue.
For individuals with neck pain who are unable to manage their condition with exercise alone, chiropractic care can be an excellent choice. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose the root causes of a patient’s mechanical neck pain. Manual therapies restore motion to the affected joints, which can reduce pain and disability. Treatment may also involve nutritional recommendations to aid the healing process. The prescription of specific exercises to strengthen weakened deep neck muscles and reduce the risk for neck pain recurrence.
Conclusion
While devices have become a part of life, there are steps to reduce one’s risk for device-related neck pain. For example, avoid looking downward when using an electronic device. Instead, hold it at eye level so you can maintain good posture. Additionally, get regular exercise as the stress of moving is how the joints in the body are nurtured and hydrated. Low-grade inflammation in the body may increase the risk for neck pain. Try to get plenty of sleep, manage stress, and eat more fruits and vegetables (and less processed food). If you have any questions on which neck-specific exercises may be most beneficial for your individual case, ask your chiropractor at your next visit.
