Neck pain and chiropractic careWhat is digital neck pain

Neck pain has many different causes. Car accidents, arthritis, and sports injury head the list. Now, there is a new thing that we call digital neck pain. 2 decades ago, we would have never imagined that we would be treating so many people for neck pain related to their use of digital devices. At first, there were a few cases of patients who spent extended periods of time in a cubical in front of a computer. It seems that once tablets became popular, and cell phones became smartphones; we noticed a steady increase in incidents of neck pain related the constant use of these devices. For now, this problem is only going to get worse because electronic devices are now used extensively in every area of our lives.

Do you have neck pain?

If you have recently noticed pain and stiffness in your neck, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you spend a great deal of time using their portable electronic devices?
  • What position are you in when using mobile phones, tablets, and electronic readers?
  • Is your neck sore after typing lengthy text messages or e-mails on a hand-held device?

Consider the following tips for using portable electronic devices ergonomically; to help prevent or lessen physical stress and strain:

  1. When using a portable device, maintain proper posture as is necessary for computer use: feet flat on the floor, shoulders relaxed, and your back supported by a chair.
  2. Hold your wrists in a comfortable, neutral position; they should not be bent forward or backward.
  3. Portable electronic devices are convenient for typing short documents; For extensive use, it is wiser to use a larger device with a physical keyboard, such as a laptop or desktop computer.
  4. If you must use your phone or tablet for an extended period, consider placing it on a stand and plugging in a keyboard and mouse for typing and navigating.
  5. If you are reading a digital book while lying down, try propping your device on a pillow to bring the screen closer to you.
  6. A good way to decrease hand strain is to use text shortcuts and/or try a stylus. A stylus is almost a “must have” accessory. It is held just like a pen or pencil,it is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to use.
  7. Hold your phone and tablet in the vertical position when typing. This will reduce the amount of space your thumbs have to travel on the keyboard.
  8. You can avoid typing, since most mobile phones have a speech-to-text feature, allowing the user to speak into the phone, and it automatically types what is spoken.
  9. Alternate hands when holding devices.
  10. Take frequent breaks with prolonged device usage.

Care you can count on

If you do not notice improvement in your neck pain after a week, you should schedule an appointment with a chiropractic clinic. The doctors at ChiroCarolina™are spine care specialists who use natural and gentle techniques to treat your neck injury. They are passionate about providing high quality chiropractic care for their patients. ChiroCarolina™ specializes in treating patients for chronic and acute pain, car accidents, and all kinds of injuries. When it comes to follow-up care, ChiroCarolina™ stands above other area clinics. Patients visit from all over North Carolina, South Carolina, and from as far as Georgia, Florida and Virginia. In addition to gentle adjustments, you can expect supplemental therapies such as the application of heat or cold, electrical stimulation, diet counseling, or rehabilitative exercise. Every solution is pain free!ChiroCarolina™, one of Charlotte’s top chiropractic centers, is known for providing conservative and effective chiropractic care for the uptown, NoDa, and University area- located conveniently off North Tryon Street