Wear and Tear from Texting Can Lead to Spinal Degeneration and Surgery

Wear and Tear from Texting Can Lead to Spinal Degeneration and Surgery



Extended use of a cell phone with the head in forward flexion can create a variety of unwanted health challenges at unprecedented numbers. New conditions and diagnoses have been created specifically to address this growing epidemic. Billions of people all over the world use cell phone devices daily. The stresses on the soft and hard tissues in the cervical spine from forward head flexion due to cell phone use are significant. This study evaluated forward head flexion stress on the human spine and corresponding body function. The findings were remarkable: 

 • The purpose of the study was to assess the forces incrementally seen by the cervical spine as the head is tilted forward into worsening posture. 
• The mathematical analysis used a head weight of 13.2 pounds 
• The weight added to the spine dramatically increases when flexing for varying degrees. 0° increased weight on the neck by 10 to 12 pounds. 15° increased weight on the neck by 27 pounds. 30° increased the weight on the neck by 40 pounds. 45° increased the weight on the neck by 49 pounds. And 60° increased the weight on the neck by 60 pounds. 
• Loss of the natural curve of the cervical spine leads to incrementally increased stresses about the cervical spine. The stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries. 
• Good posture is defined as ears aligned with the shoulders and scapula retracted. With proper alignment, spinal stress is diminished. 
• Good posture is associated with elevations in testosterone, increases in serotonin, decreases in cortisol, and increased feelings of power. Poor posture is associated with reductions in testosterone levels, reduced serotonin, increased cortisol, and reduced feelings of power. 
• Poor posture invariably occurs with the head in a tilted forward position and the shoulders drooping forward in a rounded position. 
• An average person spends 2 to 4 hours a day with their heads tilted forward for reading and texting on their smart phones, amassing 700 to 1400 hours of excess, abnormal cervical spine stress per year. 

 The high school student may even spend an extra 5000 hours in poor posture per year. Shockingly, the average person spends 2 to 4 hours a day with their heads tilted forward for reading and texting on their smart phones. This amounts to 700-1400 hours of excess, abnormal cervical spine stress per year. And poor posture influences every aspect of human performance through the endocrine system. As evidenced through this research, poor upper back and neck posture negatively influences levels of testosterone, serotonin, cortisol, and feelings of power. As technology continues to govern more and more of societal functions, the need for practitioners who positively influence posture increases. Awareness and education are two primary components to making a change. Chiropractors are key leaders and health practitioners who will help better the quality and longevity of life for all men and women by improving health through greater postural and spinal function.  
(Info extracted from the Surgical Technology International journal called, “Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head”)

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