I first learned of the term ‘tech neck’ in the early 2010's. Back then no one seemed to pay much attention to it. But now, that's completely changed.
In our ever-evolving digital world, 'tech neck' is a common phrase and an even more common condition.
In Lindsey Bever’s Washington Post article, she states,
“The human head weighs about a dozen pounds. But as the neck bends forward and down, the weight on the cervical spine begins to increase. At a 15-degree angle, this weight is about 27 pounds, at 30 degrees it’s 40 pounds, at 45 degrees it’s 49 pounds, and at 60 degrees it’s 60 pounds.”
Who knew that looking at a smart phone could put 60 lbs of pressure on your neck?
Yoga teachers and practitioners are no stranger to the problems that are associated with poor posture, such as pressure on the spine, degenerative disks and pinched nerves.
There’s no question that people with smartphones, yogis too, spend several hours a day hunched over in this position texting, emailing and playing on social media. This condition isn't just rearing it's ugly head in young people anymore. Everyone, no matter their age, is feeling the side effects.
Bever states, “Medical experts have been warning people for years. Some say for every inch the head tilts forward, the pressure on the spine doubles.”
One of the best ways to counteract the head forward posture aka 'tech neck' is a well done cobra pose.
Lie face down on your mat with your hands by your ribs.
Keep elbows bent as you lift your head and chest near vertical
Look straight ahead while pulling the sides of the neck back
Simultaneously push the upper thoracic T1 and C7 forward
Then and only then take your head back and enjoy a stretch to the anterior neck muscles!
Let me know how it feels in the comments!