We’ve all done it… Checked our phones for a quick text or scrolled through social media, only to look up an hour later with a stiff neck and sore shoulders. This problem has a name! We call it text neck, or tech neck. It might seem like just a minor problem, but this can lead to long term mobility issues and pain if ignored for too long. Let’s discuss what causes text neck and how to fix it with the help of chiropractic care.

What Causes Text Neck?

Tech neck, also known as text neck, is a condition characterized by pain, stiffness, and muscle strain in the neck and shoulders. Text neck develops from the repeated forward-head posture we adopt while looking down at our devices. 

Our heads weigh roughly 10 to 12 pounds, and tilting it forward even slightly increases the effective weight your neck supports. At a 45-degree angle, your neck could be holding up to 49 pounds of pressure! Over time, this constant stress misaligns the cervical spine and strains the muscles, ligaments, and discs.

What Are the Symptoms of Text Neck?

If you’ve ever felt a nagging ache in your neck or shoulders after a long day of screen time, you’re not alone. Common symptoms of text neck include:

• Chronic neck pain and stiffness
• Shoulder tightness or spasms
• Headaches, especially tension-type
• Pain radiating down the arms
• Reduced mobility or flexibility in the neck

Some individuals also experience numbness or tingling in the arms and hands, which can indicate nerve involvement.

Can Kids and Teens Develop Text Neck?

Children and teens are especially vulnerable to text neck because they’re growing, and they’re often using devices more than adults today. Poor posture during these critical years can affect spinal development, leading to long-term issues with balance, coordination, and chronic pain. 

It’s important for parents to encourage tech breaks, promote healthy posture habits, and seek care if symptoms appear. Chiropractic care for kids is also gentle, safe, and effective, helping young spines grow strong and stay aligned.

Can Text Neck Cause Irreversible Damage?

Unfortunately, yes. When poor posture becomes a habit, it starts to change your spine, and if left untreated, this can lead to lasting damage. Prolonged poor posture puts abnormal pressure on the cervical spine, which can result in premature disc degeneration, herniated discs, and nerve compression. In severe cases, structural changes to the spine can also become permanent, causing chronic pain and limited range of motion.

What Long-Term Damage Does Text Neck Cause?

Long-term effects of text neck can include disc problems, chronic neck pain, and changes in your posture. You might notice your head jutting forward or your shoulders rounding in. These changes can throw off your body’s balance and lead to more pain elsewhere, like your lower back or jaw. Over time, untreated text neck may also contribute to:

• Early onset arthritis in the cervical spine
• Loss of natural spinal curvature (straight neck syndrome)
• Pinched nerves and chronic migraines
• Postural deformities like forward head posture or rounded shoulders

These issues not only cause pain but also can affect your overall health, energy levels, and mood.

How Do You Treat Text Neck with Chiropractic Care?

Thankfully, chiropractic care offers a natural and effective solution for treating and preventing text neck. Chiropractors focus on correcting the underlying spinal misalignments that cause pain, rather than just covering up symptoms. This care focuses on getting to the root of the problem. 

A chiropractor will adjust your spine to relieve pressure and improve alignment. They might also use muscle work to ease tension or suggest stretches to help you move better. Overall, benefits chiropractic care for text neck will:

• Realign the cervical spine to restore normal curvature
• Reduce pressure on nerves and discs through gentle adjustments
• Relieve muscle tension and improve mobility with soft tissue techniques
• Incorporate applied kinesiology to identify and correct muscle imbalances
• Offer ergonomic and posture coaching tailored to your lifestyle

You’ll also get advice on how to improve your posture during daily tasks, like holding your phone higher or adjusting your desk setup. With the right care plan, many people feel relief quickly and learn how to avoid future problems.

Take Text Neck Seriously

It’s easy to brush off a little neck pain, especially when it creeps in slowly. But the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to fix. Chiropractic care offers a safe, hands-on way to relieve pain and protect your spine. If you’ve been noticing symptoms, don’t wait. Your body is trying to tell you something, and it’s time to listen!