Why your smartphone is causing you ‘text neck’ syndrome

The number of mobile phone users around the world is expected to exceed 5 billion this year. Mobile penetration is set to continue growing by up to 67 per cent with China on target to contribute 1.5 billion mobile connections and India accounting for 1.1 billion. The surge in the growth of the mobile market can mostly be attributed to the reduced cost and availability of smartphones.

Mobile phones are now generally seen as being essential to our daily lives, with texting the most common way of communicating. Groupe Spéciale Mobile Association (GSMA) estimates that two-thirds of the world’s population possess a mobile phone. In January 2018, at least 68 per cent of the world’s population had access to a device. That number is expected to reach 75 per cent by 2020.

Typically people crane their neck forward 45 degrees when sending text messages. This places a weight of almost 22kg on the spine, cervical ligaments and other muscles – five times the pressure considered normal, according to a Surgical Technology International study. Over the course of a year, this amounts to an additional 1,000 to 1,400 hours of pressure on the average smartphone user’s spine.

OK … but why?

HEAD FORWARD POSTURE
“Text neck” has become a common problem with people typically sticking their neck forward and placing their head in front of their shoulders to use their phone for texting. This causes muscle tension, puts the user at risk of pinched nerves and can ultimately lead to a herniated disc. People that hold this position for long periods will find their posture degenerating and put the natural curve of their neck at risk of flattening or inverting over time.

When your neck is at an angle of 15 degrees the weight of your head effectively increases to 12kg adding unnecessary strain to your neck. When the angle increases to 30 degrees the weight increases to 18kg, while a 45 degree angle adds up to 22kg. A 60 degree angle results in the head weighing the equivalent of 27kg, which is similar to carrying around an 8-year-old child.

How does it happen?

Smartphone addiction is considered a behavioural addiction and is often defined as "dependence syndrome", a term used by the WHO which also applies to psychoactive drugs, alcohol and tobacco in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.

A study of 1,600 people by Leslie Perlow, PhD, professor of leadership at the Harvard Business School, showed that:

• 70% of respondents check their smartphone within an hour of getting up;
• 56% check their phone within an hour of going to bed;
• 48% check over the weekend, including Friday and Saturday nights;
• 51% check continuously while on holiday;
• 44% said they would experience "a great deal of anxiety" if they lost their phone and could not replace it for a week.

It is not just texting that puts smartphone users at risk. Gaming is also a major cause for concern. Pokémon Go, for instance, resulted in several deaths when people played the game while walking or driving. Gaming addiction is recognised as a mental disorder by the WHO.

Smartphone addiction in Asia

“Nomophobia” is the name for the irrational fear of being without, or unable to use, your mobile phone. It is becoming a serious problem in Asia. A 2015 study of 1,000 South Korean students showed that 25 per cent suffered from mobile phone addiction. Hongkongers are experiencing similar issues. A 2015 survey of 500 young people found 90 per cent spent at least 3.5 hours a day on their phones and received an average of 221 messages a day.

A worldwide study* of 60,500 internet users said the average urban millennial, aged 16 to 30, spends 2.8 hours a day on their mobile devices. That equates to almost 20 hours a week, or 42.5 days a year.

Recommendations

Spine specialists suggest you hold your phone at eye level, take regular breaks from texting and limit screen time to avoid pain. There are apps available to send alerts when the user has been in a posture looking downwards for too long.

* Connected Life and global research consultancy TNS

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Pull your head in, straighten your neck and look where you’re going because the chances are you just read this story on your phone. Just saying …