Excessive use of cell phones and other electronic devices can cause health problems that go beyond mental well-being or eye health. The practice can lead to poor posture and, in the long term, add up to 27 kg of weight to the spine, a condition called “text neck syndrome ” or, as it is known in English, “text neck syndrome”.
The syndrome is characterized by overloading of the muscles and joints of the spine, resulting from the tilted posture of the neck and head forward and downward when looking at the screens of devices such as cell phones, tablets and notebooks.
“This posture leads to a significant change in the biomechanics of the spine, increasing tension in the cervical muscles, spinal ligaments and intervertebral discs. This tends to cause pain and discomfort,” says Francisco Vaz, a neurosurgeon specializing in spinal diseases, CNN . “Studies indicate that keeping the neck tilted at a 60-degree angle can increase the load on the cervical spine by up to 27 kilos, which is comparable to the weight of a child of about 8 years old,” he adds.
What causes text neck syndrome?
Researches showed that text neck syndrome is mainly associated with the excessive use of electronic devices. This includes, in addition to cell phones, computers, laptops and desktops that are not at eye level, tablets and e-readers, as well as video games.
However, other factors may be associated with the syndrome, such as sitting with an inadequate posture. “Several other activities, many of them routine, can contribute to the emergence of this problem. We can mention, for example, incorrect posture while driving, inadequate position while watching television, among others”, lists Vaz.
“In these situations, if we are not vigilant and attentive to the position of our head and neck, it can project forward and downward, increasing tension in the cervical spine and contributing to the onset of text neck syndrome,” he adds.
Symptoms of Text Neck Syndrome
The main symptoms of text neck syndrome include:
- Neck pain and stiffness;
- Tension headache (common in the back of the head);
- Pain in the shoulders and upper back;
- Tingling sensation in the hands and arms, due to compression of the nerves coming from the cervical spine;
- Reduced range of motion (difficulty turning your head or looking up without discomfort).
How to diagnose the syndrome?
The diagnosis of text neck syndrome is clinical, that is, based on the patient’s history, symptoms and physical examination. “During the medical consultation, the professional will collect the patient’s history, understand and better characterize the pain, in addition to evaluating the posture, range of motion of the neck, the presence of pain or sensitivity, whether in the neck region, in the occipital region of the head [parte de trás da cabeça] and on the shoulders”, explains Vaz.
According to the neurosurgeon, in addition to analyzing posture, the professional can assess the patient’s muscle strength and flexibility, and check whether or not there are trigger points, pain points, and muscle tension points in the regions we have discussed. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform imaging tests to rule out the possibility of complications related to the syndrome.
What health risks does the syndrome pose?
According to Vaz, if left untreated, the syndrome can lead to complications in both the cervical spine and overall health. “Patients with chronic and untreated text neck syndrome may have a global posture impairment, that is, in addition to the neck and cervical spine, the thoracic and lumbar spine may also be compromised,” he explains.
The professional explains that this can negatively impact patients’ quality of life, with the development of chronic pain, limited movement and difficulty performing daily activities.
“It can also promote accelerated wear of the intervertebral discs and the development of degenerative changes in the cervical spine, such as herniated discs, parrot’s beaks, cervical spine osteoarthritis and, together, cervical canal stenosis which, in the final stage, leads to compression of the nerves and even the cervical spinal cord,” he states. “As a result, the patient may, in addition to the pain, experience very serious motor paralysis,” he adds.
How is the treatment done?
Treatment for text neck syndrome involves a combination of lifestyle changes, physical therapies, and, in some cases, surgical interventions. Approaches that may be used in treatment include:
- Posture correction, with adjustment of the height of mobile devices used to be at eye level;
- Performing exercises to strengthen the neck and back muscles;
- Stretching the neck and back muscles;
- Take breaks from work every 30 minutes.
When these changes are not sufficient, therapies such as:
- Global postural reeducation (RPG);
- Use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications to alleviate symptoms;
- Injection of corticosteroids and anesthetics to relieve pain and inflammation in more severe cases.
Source: CNN Brasil
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