We live in a world where screens are everywhere — phones, laptops, tablets, even smartwatches. While technology has made life more convenient, it’s also introduced a modern health issue chiropractors are seeing every day: Tech Neck.
If you’ve ever felt stiffness, soreness, or tension in your neck after a long day of looking at screens, you might already be dealing with it.
What Is Tech Neck?
Tech Neck refers to the neck pain and posture problems caused by constantly looking down at your phone, tablet, or computer. The average human head weighs about 10–12 pounds — but for every inch your head tilts forward, the effective weight on your neck nearly doubles.
That means when you’re hunched over your phone, your neck muscles and joints might be supporting up to 40–60 pounds of pressure! Over time, that added strain leads to muscle fatigue, inflammation, and joint misalignment.
Common Symptoms of Tech Neck
You don’t have to be glued to your phone all day to feel the effects. Even moderate daily screen use can cause:
- Tightness or soreness in the neck and shoulders
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Reduced range of motion or stiffness
- Tingling or numbness in the arms or hands
- Fatigue or poor posture that worsens throughout the day
Left unaddressed, Tech Neck can contribute to long-term spinal degeneration and chronic pain.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic adjustments address the root cause of Tech Neck — the loss of proper motion and alignment in the cervical spine. By restoring normal joint movement, adjustments help:
- Relieve muscle tension and pressure on nerves
- Improve posture and range of motion
- Reduce inflammation and stiffness
- Prevent further strain on your spine
Your chiropractor may also recommend posture training, ergonomic corrections, and at-home stretches to help you stay aligned between visits.
Easy Fixes You Can Start Today
Here are a few simple ways to combat Tech Neck right now:
- Lift your screen to eye level – Whether you’re on your phone or at a computer, your eyes should look straight ahead, not down.
- Take movement breaks – Stand up, roll your shoulders, and stretch your neck every 30–45 minutes.
- Strengthen your posture muscles – Exercises like chin tucks and shoulder blade squeezes can improve your spinal support.
- Be mindful of screen time – Awareness is key! The less you lean forward, the less strain you create.
The Bottom Line
Technology isn’t going away — but neck pain doesn’t have to be part of the deal. Chiropractic care helps keep your spine healthy, your posture strong, and your nervous system functioning at its best.
If you’ve been noticing neck tension, headaches, or that forward “tech posture,” it’s time for a checkup. Small changes today can make a big difference in how you feel tomorrow.
At Live Well Chiropractic in Kent, we help patients correct Tech Neck and get back to feeling their best — naturally.