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SPECIAL REPORT

Tech Neck and the Tweet
Generation

The Problem

Technology Stressors are Affecting
Today’s Youth at an Alarming Rate

Causing a Condition Known as
“Tech Neck”

I knew this day would come. It took about a dozen years, but the tipping point
concerning technology stressors causing forward head posture in today’s youth came
with the April 2014 publishing of the study “The Comparison of Cervical
Repositioning Errors According to Smartphone Addiction Rates”7

The results of the study speak for themselves. “In conclusion, our present results
suggest that if a smartphone is used regularly for a long time, it could affects the
correct perception of the proprioceptive sense thereby encouraging abnormal
motion of the musculoskeletal system. If this condition were to continue, it would
negatively affect the quality of life of daily living through pain.

And the study recommendations? “Therefore, musculoskeletal problems
due to smartphone addiction should be resolved through social
cognition and intervention, and physical therapeutic education and
intervention to educate people on about correct postures.”

Tech Neck is real and it’s a real pain in the neck.

Consider the conclusions from two recent studies:

“A significant linear trend for increasing sagittal plane postural
translations of the head, thorax, pelvis, and knee was found in
children age from 4 years to 12 years.”1

“Poor posture was diagnosed in 38.3% children, more frequently in boys. A
significantly different occurrence of poor posture was found between 7-year-old
and 11-year-old children (33.0% and 40.8%, respectively). The most frequently
detected defects were as follows: protruding scapulae (50% of all children),
increased lumbar lordosis (32%), and round back (31%). Children with poor
posture reported head- ache and pain in the cervical and lumbar spine more
frequently.”2