Lucida Sol Wellness & Botanicals

The most common recurrent issue I see in my clients is pain and dysfunction at the base of the skull, the neck, and the shoulders down to the shoulder blades.  You may have heard the term “text neck.”  This is a very real condition that is affecting millions of people – and it can be mitigated or avoided with proper body mechanics and conscious choices.

TIPS TO AVOID “TEXT NECK”

1.  Try to keep your head in a neutral position.  That means try to maintain that 90 degree angle of your chin in reference to your neck.  To do this – you need to bring your hand-held device UP to face level. 
2. Use your voice-to-text feature and avoid using your thumbs whenever possible.  (This is the hardest for me!  My voice-to-text results make me crazy and I am a whiz with my thumbs on that little keyboard on my iPhone!)
3. Take frequent breaks and arch/stretch your head, neck, shoulders backwards.
4. Practice good posture – head up, shoulders back, and spine straight.

HOW TO TREAT THE SYMPTOMS OF “TEXT NECK”

The reality is that every single one of us will suffer from the symptoms of this condition at one time or another.  Sure, we all will try to avoid it using the tips above, but what do you do when you’re in pain?  Of course, you can visit your local skilled massage therapist (hint, hint!), your local chiropractor, have your significant other massage your skull, neck, and shoulders….  There is one exercise that I do myself at home:

1. Lie on your back on your bed with your shoulders on the edge and your head hanging off backwards.
2. Open your arms wide on the bed and let your head sink backwards, hanging down off the edge of the bed.  Gravity will do most of the work. 
3. Allow your head to rest this way for 3-5 minutes.
4. Be aware, though, that when you sit up, you will be dizzy – so don’t try to jump up and off the bed in a rush, because you may fall over!  I do this at night before going to sleep and it makes for a much more restful night.

Here is a great article with more information:  https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/text-neck-treatment-and-prevention

How do YOU treat your text neck?  Tell me in the comments below!  Make today great, everyone!

CONNECT WITH ME!

Theresa Leppert, LMT, CA

theresa@lucidasol.com

563-484-0653

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