Ärzte sind alarmiert über die Gefahr eines „technischen Nackens“ für junge Smartphone-Nutzer. Eine Studie ergab, dass die „nach vorne gerichtete Kopfhaltung“ bei jungen Menschen im College-Alter in erheblichem Maße mit der intensiven Smartphone-Nutzung zusammenhängt. Für jeden Zoll „Vorwärtskopfhaltung“ gibt es eine Gewichtszunahme von 10 Pfund, die von der Halswirbelsäule getragen wird.

I’ve linked to the news release in the post above. In this comment, for those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

The Impact Of Smartphone Addiction On Forward Head Posture And Shoulder Mobility Among Young Adults – A Case Control Study

https://theaspd.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/10891

From the linked article:

**Spine docs alarmed over ‚tech neck‘ hazard for young smartphone users**

As medical concerns mount over chronic pain among young smartphone users dubbed „tech neck,“ experts are calling for new measures to counteract the phenomenon, which they warn can potentially lead to early-onset spinal problems.

The warnings come as a growing body of scientific literature points to an association between excessive or addictive smartphone use and physical and musculoskeletal strains, such as tech neck — caused when users hold their heads forward for prolonged periods while scrolling and texting, leading to cervical spine problems and pain.

For instance, new findings published this month in the International Journal of Environmental Sciences is adding to those concerns with evidence **that „forward head posture,“ as well as shoulder mobility problems, are „significantly“ associated with heavy smartphone use among college-aged young people** in India.

Forward head posture, or FHP, is a common condition in which the head is flexed forward relative to the neck. Holding the head in this position for long periods of time puts significant strain on the spine, sometimes triggering hyperextension of the upper cervical spine and flexion of the lower cervical spine.

Dr. James Harrop, a neurosurgeon, researcher and professor of neurological surgery at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, told UPI he agrees that in general „there will be higher incidence of people with neck pain“ due to the increased musculoskeletal strains of smartphone usage.

This is due, he said, to technological advances racing out ahead of human physical evolution. In this case, he noted, **bodies have evolved so that for every inch of forward head posture there is an estimated 10-pound increase in weight that must be supported by the cervical spine** and surrounding musculature.

At 15 degrees of forward tilt, the force on the spine increases to 27 pounds, while a 60-degree tilt exerts up to 60 pounds of force.

Huh. I wonder if that’s why I keep waking up with neck pain. I figured it was cause I was getting old. Well, I guess it can also be that.

Redditors reading this: I’m in danger!

Thankfully AR glasses will save us all in a few years.