Tech Neck – scourge of the young
Folks of the digital age are constantly staring down at their cell phones or hunching overtop a laptop are now remedying their poor posture and troublesome “tech neck” with tummy time. “Instead of scrolling [on my phone], sitting in a chair and looking down, I’m just on my tummy and I’m scrolling with my phone in front of me,” said Bek, a content creator, in a TikTok how-to. Adults are adopting “tummy time” as a remedy for “tech neck” caused by constant phone and computer use. “If you are having neck problems from tech neck [because you’re] looking down all the time, get on your belly,” she urged before closing the clip with an infant-like “goo-goo, gaga.”
Tech neck is any form of chronic neck or shoulder pain, soreness or stiffness caused by bad posture while using technology,” according to the Mayo Clinic. “Bending your head forward at a 45-degree angle to look at a cellphone or tablet can dramatically increase your chances of having a tech neck. Some surveys find the average adult spends between three to eight hours leaning downward to gaze at screens. “Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability, with an annual prevalence rate exceeding 30%,” the insiders noted. “Most episodes of acute neck pain will resolve with or without treatment, but nearly 50% of those people will continue to experience some degree of fatigue or discomfort from frequent recurrences.” Experts warn that neck and back pain caused by tech neck can be permanent, flaring up at random times throughout a person’s life. The agonizing flare ups even forced a whopping 24% of workers ages 16 to 26 to call out of work in 2024. The throbs and twinges are literal pains in the neck, cursing young adults with “old lady issues” that may continue plaguing them into old age. So, to avoid developing a Quasimodo-esque hunchback, twentysomethings and beyond are carving out time for a little tummy time.
“To the person that suggested tummy time to correct tech neck, thank you,” raved influencer Megan Jo, adding that she “already feels a difference” in her body by spending more time on her belly. “Thank you.” Sam Rus, a yoga instructor, also sang the babyish move’s praises, saying, “10 minutes a day will passively stretch your core and hips, increase spine mobility, aid in digestion and reverse the effects of sitting for long periods of time.” Tech neck also can cause issues beyond your neck and shoulders. Extra spinal pressure in your neck can lead to mid and lower-back pain as well as headaches. As you age, the discs of your spine become narrowed, and you lose some of the support they provide. This leads to more pressure on the nerve roots that emerge from the spine at the base of the neck. As early as your 20s, muscle fatigue can set in and cause more strain and sprain. It’s critical to ensure young people consistently stretch, change positions and move throughout the day to avoid neck and back strain.
Stiff neck humor
I woke up with a really stiff neck. I got out of bed, went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror, my face was white as a sheet! I had a big red nose, bright red fuzzy hair and a really tiny bowler hat on top. I turned on the tap and glitter poured out. Then I realized what had happened.
I slept funny.
I got this neck brace a few weeks ago…
and I haven’t looked back since.
So a friend asked me if I got what I wanted for Christmas. I told him no and explain that I told my wife when she asked me what I wanted it was simple and wouldn’t cost her anything I would give her everything she needed to complete the job. The only thing she had to worry about was possibly cleaning her hair and face after she was finished with the job and she possibly may have a sore neck.
She refused to give me what I wanted for Christmas so I guess I have to paint my own ceiling.
Men with neck tattoos used to make me nervous.
Now they make me lattes.
June 6th Birthdays
1955 – Sandra Bernhard, 1952 – Marsha Blackburn, 1959 – Amanda Pays, 1975 – Stacy Keanan
1956 – Bjorn Borg 1935 – Dalai Llama, 1980 – Pete Hegseth, 1963 – Jason Isaacs