JOINT HEALTH
We gain much from using technology on a daily basis, but sometimes, there are situations where –in addition to the benefits of technology, there are also some risks and dangers that can come along with it.
The use of a cell phone is one of these health hazards. While cell phones are practically a necessity in our society, over time, cell phone usage can cause problems to the neck.
On average, we spend a staggering four hours a day looking down to read something on our phones Unfortunately though, our necks are quite heavy –they can weigh up to twelve pounds –and constantly bending downwards can cause a lot of strain on your neck and spine.
While the average head weighs somewhere between ten and twelve pounds in a natural position, as you lean your head forward it gets heavier. According to a paper by Surgical Technology International, if your head is bent in a 15-degree angle, it puts about twenty-seven pounds of force on your neck. Move it 30 degrees forward, and your head will put forty pounds of force on your neck. The weight keeps increasing as you move your head forwards, and at a 60-degree angle, the angle many of us are in while using our cell phone, puts a whopping sixty-pound strain on your neck.
With all of this pressure on our necks, it’s important to look for ways to reduce some of this weight. Some things that you can do include:
While you don’t have to throw out your smartphone in order to have good posture, being aware of your phone’s impact on your neck should encourage you to consciously maintain better posture –helping you to maintain healthy joints.
Blackstone Orthopedics provides sports medicine for Rhode Island. If you have sustained a neck injury or are experiencing neck pain, contact Blackstone Orthopedics today for an appointment.
