It probably doesn’t surprise you that smartphone use is way up in the U.S. In fact, you may even be reading this post on your phone right now.
Smartphones are great in many ways, but they can be bad for your neck. The reality is that spending hours looking down at a phone, laptop or tablet can lead to a condition called text neck. This condition occurs when you keep your neck in a forward-flexed position for long periods of time. In turn, this leads to pain in your neck. One type of medical professional who can help you address text neck is a physical therapist.
These are three ways physical therapists can help you treat text neck
There are many options that physical therapists offer for treating text neck. Also, the specific therapy methods they use to treat you could be different from those used for other patients. Each patient experiences the same issue differently.
However, there are several general steps therapists can take to treat your neck pain. These steps include:
- Educating you about good posture — Physical therapists are human musculoskeletal system experts; they know what the optimal posture is for your neck. Commonly, your physical therapist will take steps to teach you about good posture. They could also offer advice on how to maintain good posture in the future.
- Helping you find ways to avoid forward-flexing your neck — Meeting this goal is important if you want to avoid text neck in the future. However, you might not know how to meet it. Your physical therapist can show you how to avoid too much forward neck flexion. Some of the tips they could offer are:
- Using a holder for your device.
- Connecting your laptop to a monitor.
- Taking frequent breaks from your device.
- Doing regular neck exercises.
- Strengthening your neck — It’s hard on your muscles when your head is in a forward-flexed position. Tilting your head forward just 1 inch increases the pressure on your neck by about 10 pounds. This extra weight can leave your neck muscles weak and tense. Physical therapists can show you how to do exercises to stretch and strengthen your neck muscles. Such exercises could include:
- Chin tucks
- Head tilts
- Head circles
Find help for your neck pain at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy
Is your neck constantly in pain due to text neck? Our specialists at Excel PT are ready and willing to help you find ways to treat and prevent this condition. We offer free screenings that can pinpoint the issues forward head posture has led to. Our physical therapists are also adept at creating individualized therapy plans designed to improve your posture and decrease and prevent pain.
Want to treat your pain from home? You can do so with our help, thanks to our at-home care and virtual therapy services.
Contact our team today for more information about how we can treat neck problems or to schedule your initial appointment.
Our Locations
FAQ
Conditions Library
