Facebook Can Be a Pain in the Neck

In today’s technology-thirsty society, it’s rare to not see someone with their head down texting on their cell phone or reading the latest status updates on Facebook.

However, too much texting and tilting your head down can become a pain in the neck for some people. An excessive amount of leaning your head forward and down, while looking at a phone or other mobile device could result in what some people call "text neck." The term "text neck" was first used by a chiropractor in Florida and is defined as overuse syndrome involving the head, neck and shoulders, usually resulting from excessive strain on the spine from looking in a downward position at hand held devices such as cell phones, mp3 players, e-readers and computer tablets.

Orthopedic surgeon Chris Cornett says, "People get so focused on these devices that they end up holding their neck and upper back in abnormal positions for a long period of time; enough that other people coined the phrase ‘text neck,’ which is essentially referring to postural pain.

"When you hold your body in an abnormal position, it can increase stress on the muscles, cause fatigue, muscle spasms and even stress headaches. With every degree of motion to the front or side that you move your head, the stress on your neck is magnified beyond just the weight of the head."

Texting is not just painful–it can be DEADLY if you do it while crossing the street (which MANY people do). In fact, allmost one in three pedestrians is distracted by mobile devices while crossing busy roads. Crashes involving vehicles and pedestrians injure 60,000 people and kill 4,000 every year in the US.

Since we’re not machine men, we need to be careful. Did you know that subscribers have a coupon that gets them this beautiful hardcover for LESS than $5?

Hey, LIFE can be a pain in the neck, so it’s time to have some FUN: Come to our Nashville Symposium in May, where you’ll make new friends, meet up with old ones, talk personally with three dynamic presenters, and learn some INCREDIBLE wisdom. To get your tickets, click here.