171 Minutes, roughly 3 hours, per day are spent by Americans on cell phones and other mobile devices. That is more than 85 hours a month with our faces in our palms! With so much time spent on phones and other devices, they must be having some effect on us other than the occasional “phantom vibration”, right?
In fact, studies have shown that so much time spent on these devices has a variety of effects from physical to psychological. From tight or sore neck and shoulder muscles to depression-like symptoms, overuse of mobile and cellular devices affect us in more ways than we realize.
“Tech Neck” is a phrase that has crept into the lexicon in recent years in reference to postural changes associated with increased time spent on cell phones, tablets, computers, and other devices. Frequent and prolonged cell phone use can advance and worsen postural related conditions such as tight and sore muscles in your arms, neck or back.
Because most people use their cell phone in a low position with minimal extension of the arms, shoulders, and elbows, the head is generally down and forward when looking at our screens. This forward head posture is worsened and exacerbated when cell phone overuse is coupled with long hours at a computer or other seated workstation.
If you experience frequent neck and shoulder pain, particularly associated with computer work or mobile phone use you likely havesome degree of forward head posture. In fact, forward head posture double the weight of the head for every 1 inch it extends beyond its proper place, square over the shoulders.
Lifting your cell phone and other devices to horizontal eye level when in use may help reduce this strain.
Headaches are another issue seen with excess cell phone usage and increased screen time in general, including computers and television sets. Eye Strain and fatigue, decreased circulation and overactive musculature can all contribute to headaches and are all associated with prolonged cell phone use.
Taking regular breaks from screen time to refresh your eyes and rest the small muscles required for focusing on screens and reading can help reduce this eye strain. Focusing on proper posture - shoulders back, chest out, ears over shoulders and shoulders over hips, knees, and feet - can also help to correct these physical alterations.
Cell phones aren’t only affecting us physically, they are also affecting our minds creating a dependence on notifications, likes, messages etc. Social media and other online applications are designed with your addiction in mind. The goal of tech companies is to have you spend the most time possible on your device using their applications, programs or platforms.
Just like any drug, food or habit you can become addicted to using and checking you cellular and mobile devices. Studies have shown in that people with cell phone addiction have brain chemistry comparable to those suffering from anxiety and depression. Increased levels of the brain chemical GABA can have a variety of symptoms including drowsiness and inability to focus or ADHD-like behaviors.
Physical and psychological insults may not be the only damage being caused by our persistent cell phone usage. Data and tech companies are also tracking and recording our everyday habits and selling this information to marketing corporations amongst others. Many Americans are not aware that even when GPS and other features are turned off, our devices may still be tracking our location and internet habits.
Dr. Kevin Kinney, board certified and licensed Chiropractic Physician featured on INSIDER.com, TheTodayShow.com & BlackDoctorsMatter.org. Connect with Dr. Kev at drkevinkinney.com or @DrDuval904
