Conway Chiropractor Explains How Technology Affects Health
While technology has advanced the way we interact with each other and the world, not all the effects are good. Not only are there psychological concerns, but the use of technological products, such as personal computers and smartphones, have resulted in the occurrence of many physical problems, especially regarding the neck and spine. If you’re suffering any neck or back pain, it could be a result of technology. Contact a Conway chiropractor to learn how chiropractic care can help alleviate any pain you feel.
Text Neck
According to a study by American mobile measurement firm Informate, Americans spend an average of four hours on their smartphone every day. Between surfing the internet, interacting with a multitude of entertainment applications, texting friends, checking emails, and other countless activities, it isn’t hard to fill those hours.
Though there may be a danger to your eyes from staring at the screen for so long, the danger to the spine comes from where the phone is held. Instead of holding the phone straight out in front of one’s face, most people hold their devices closer to their bodies, forcing their heads to drop down in a shape that extends the muscles at the back of the neck. Since the head weighs an average of ten pounds, drop it forward puts significant stress on the tissues in your neck, strains the spine, and curves the shoulders in a forward hunch position. After so many hours in this position day after day, many individuals may suffer from a condition informally known as “text neck.” Alarmingly, this problem is increasing in children and young adults, age groups that traditionally have very few spinal problems. Because our world is becoming more and more digital, neck pain is only going to increase. Speak to a Conway chiropractor to correct any pain that has developed because of technology use.
Excessive Sitting
Health experts estimate that the average American office worker sits as much as 10 hours a day. Between an 8 hour work day, sitting during the commute, at dinner, and during leisure time such as watching TV from the couch, it’s easy to see how we spend most of our time in the seated position. In order to sit this long in a proper posture, there must be engagement and strength in the abs and back, which is lacking in many individuals.
Even with proper posture, sitting for long periods causes the slowing of blood flow, leading to muscles burning less fats. When the body slows its metabolism, fatty acids can build up in the blood and lead to clogged arteries. Additionally, sitting after lunch slows digestion, leading to digestive issues such as bloating and heartburn. Sitting puts pressure on the lower back, especially when there’s poor posture. When standing, the legs can take some of the pressure off the lower back by engaging in holding up the body’s weight. The pressure on the lower back from sitting for extended periods can increase the risk for herniated disks. A Conway chiropractor can work with you to reduce the pain you’re experiencing.
Limiting Negative Health Effects from Technology
Considering it is an inevitability for most people to spend extended periods seated, the most pivotal change to make is to maintain proper posture while sitting. This can be accomplished by paying following certain guidelines:
- Both feet should be flat on the floor with toes in line with the knees and knees in a straight horizontal line with the hips
- Weight should be evenly distributed across the pelvis
- The buttocks should touch the back of the chair
- Elongate the spine in a comfortably straight vertical line, gently engaging the abdominals to bring more length to the spine by rooting down the pelvis and lifting the chest cavity
- Placing a small pillow at the lower back can help maintain the natural curvature of the back when core muscles are weak
- The shoulders should be pulled back with the scapula laying in line with the ribcage
- Be sure nothing is consistently out of reach and that you aren’t leaning on anything as this twists and irritates the spine.
Even when proper sitting posture is maintained, using a cell phone excessively can lead to neuromuscular problems. To limit these, use the following practices:
- Take frequent breaks from phone use and try to limit your use
- Don’t use your pinky finger to support the phone’s weight during use as it stretches the wrist and hand into an unnatural shape, increasing the risk of carpal tunnel
- Place the device on a desk or table whenever possible to decrease the necessity of gripping the phone
Chiropractic Treatment
Regularly visiting a Conway chiropractor can help keep the spine in alignment and increase overall health. Chiropractic adjustments can help reset the body and aid in the road towards physical symmetry, which will require additional physical exercises.
Technology affects practically everyone in the modern era – even toddlers are given tablets for entertainment. If you suffer from neck, back, or wrist pain or headaches or eye strain, seeking an assessment from a chiropractic doctor can help alleviate your pain and pinpoint the source in a safe, noninvasive way.
In addition to adjusting your spine and other joints, a Conway chiropractor can help you find the right ergonomic workstations and physical exercises to decrease your discomfort and prevent future injuries.
Conway Chiropractor Will Alleviate Back And Neck Pain
Using state of the art chiropractic techniques, our doctors at Mauricio Chiropractic Group have helped patients during every stage of the difficult recovery process for over 15 years. If you’ve been suffering from personal injuries, give us a call and speak to a Conway chiropractor.
Chiropractic Care Near You
Mauricio Chiropractic have been providing expert chiropractic care in the Orlando area for decades. We serve in nine different locations including; East Colonial, Winter Park, Pine Hills, Downtown Orlando, Conway, South Orange Blossom Trail, Poinciana, Dr. Phillips & Melbourne. If you’re in need of chiropractic treatment, or want to unlock your body’s true potential, make an appointment with one of our esteemed doctors now. You can also enter your email below to receive more information.
We provide advanced spinal correction utilizing “state of the art” chiropractic techniques. Never in the history of chiropractic have we been able to provide the level of help and expertise that now exists. These newer correction methods are even safer, more comfortable and more effective than ever before. As Doctors of Chiropractic,Our Team has years of training and experience in spinal adjustment.