Neck or Back Pain? Could it be from Overusing your Cell Phone?

Cell phone use has increased dramatically over the last decade. We now talk, text and use our phones as mini tablets for taking notes, searching online, checking social media, and playing our favorite video games. In fact, more than 90% of Americans have cell phones, on average we check our phones around 150 times each day and are connected for nearly 16 hours out of every 24-hour period. Could our back and neck pain be related to this increased use?  If you take a minute to think about how we most often hold and use our cell phones, you will quickly realize that the answer may be YES!

Posture and Cell Phone Use

When we hear the buzz of our phones telling us that someone is calling or texting, our instinct is to grab our phone quickly and take a look. Very often, we hold our phone very low and look down at the screen. Over time, this can have a negative impact on your spine and your neck. When most of us text, we put our chin down to our chest and round our shoulders. This poor posture can easily contribute to back pain and neck pain. In fact, the posture that many of us use when we look at our phones is the exact opposite of what is best for our bodies.

Instead of continuing to use this posture when you look at a phone, you may want to consider holding your phone out in front of your face at eye level so that your spine and neck are actually supported. You should look straight at your phone like a computer screen and use both hands to dial and text. This is a difficult change to make but may provide you with significant back and neck pain relief.

Chiropractic Care for Back and Neck Pain

Dr. Keren H. Gomez is a Chiropractic Physician who specializes in helping individuals in the Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, FL area find relief from all types of back and neck issues. Dr. Gomez is a Florida Board Certified Chiropractic Physician and a member of the Florida Chiropractic Association. She offers a holistic approach to healthcare, providing individualized treatment to the whole person, not just their symptoms. She offers comprehensive chiropractic services including Intervertebral Traction, Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS), Therapeutic Ultrasound, Neck Traction, Neck Strengthening, Moist Heat, Cryotherapy and Light Therapy.

If you are concerned about back or neck pain related to cell phone use, or other issues, contact Dr. Keren Gomez at 305-761-6528 or email her directly at [email protected] to schedule an appointment.