Prolonged phone use linked to spine issues

Apr 17, 2017 06:00 am

Spine surgeons are noticing an increase in patients with neck and upper back pain - likely related to poor posture during prolonged smartphone use - according to a recent report.

Some, particularly young patients who should not yet have such issues, are reporting disk hernias and alignment problems, the study authors wrote in The Spine Journal.

Study co-author Todd Lanman said: "The real concern is that we do not know what this means down the road for kids today who use phones all day."

Previous studies found that people hold their necks at around 45 degrees. It becomes worse when they sit compared to when they stand.

The authors suggested lifestyle changes to relieve the stress from the "text neck" posture, including holding phones in front of the face, or near eye level, while texting. - REUTERS