The Simple Cure for "Text Neck"

There has been an explosion over the topic "Text Neck."  There is a (scientific?) article that stated that people who text are at risk for putting their neck under undue stress.  This model crunches numbers and states that every inch we move our heads forward we put increasing force through our neck. 

The good news!  There is a simple cure!  Move your head and neck (and don't text for hours!) No need to sit up straight, keep your shoulders back, keep your eyes level.   JUST MOVE!  Don't be one position for a prolonged period of time!I have no doubt that the text neck posture does put some increased stress through cervical facets (the joints in your neck).  The cervical facets are angled like shingles on a roof.  When our neck is bent forward (such as reading a book, or when staring at a computer for hours, which is probably worse than texting) the joints get compressed.  Over a significant amount of time, this may cause degenerative conditions through the cervical spine. 


I would agree that the text neck posture is not a good position for your neck to be in, and if you minimize the time your neck is bent forward, it will reduce forces through your neck.  I think people are more at risk for other serious issues with texting such as texting and driving, or not paying attention to where you are walking while texting.

Please don't text and drive!

Stop trying to teach people "Perfect form." There is no such thing!

There is no such thing as perfect form, only good technique. There is no "one size fits all" for exercise and athletics. Seem like semantics? 

I was asked this question from a trainer once:  "If you had a 16 year old baseball player that threw a 90 mph fastball, but his throwing motion looked funny, do you tell him he needs to change the way he throws?"  If you do change his mechanics, how will that affect his velocity? 

I see this at the gym all the time.  People trying to "correct" each others form.  For example, I was resting by the squat rack today and someone was trying to teach someone how to squat.  They were telling them that they need to narrow their stance, and point their toes straight forward, and keep their knees from going over their toes, and to stick their butt backwards, etc.  I don't think it even occurred to these people that they may have a different shaped pelvis, different femur/tibia lengths, different ankle mechanics.  This is exactly why some people can squat comfortably and almost sit their butt on their heels, and why others have trouble getting thighs to parallel. 

When I am teaching/coaching someone exercises, I often give them as few instructions as I possibly can.  For squats, my instructions are usually as simple as; "let me see you squat."  If corrections need to be made to technique, we start by make alterations from there. 

The moral of the story is that everyone does things differently.  We should stop trying to make everyone do things the same way.  We should allow them to work within their limits and try to improve on technique with every session. 

Health is not "Self Help" Help me...Help you

I love my job!  I love helping people (get out of pain) and to teach people how to move better and be healthier.

I am not one to brag, as many who have seen me for treatment can attest to.  However, I am good at what I do.  One of the reasons I am good at what I do is because I am constantly learning.  I consider myself an expert in the field of health.

This is why I went to school for 9 years.  This is why I have done countless hours of continuing education.  This is why I read up-to-date papers and articles on topics pertaining to health. 

I do not give advice about things that I know very little about.  I will never tell a rocket scientist how to build a better rocket.  I will never tell an engineer how to build a better bridge.  Why is it that people feel it is appropriate to offer health information when they are not in the health field? 

Just the other day, I overheard a lady lecturing numerous other people to "eat more bananas if you are getting cramps."  How can she offer this advice without knowing someone's medical history?  Or without knowing the anatomy or physiology of muscle?  Where did she get this information?  Probably something that her mother told her when she was getting muscle cramps.

A gentleman was talking to another guy about various stretches he needed to do to get rid of his back pain?  Maybe the stretching was appropriate in his case, but why is it appropriate to pass this along to other people. 

Health should not be self help.  If you do not work in the health field, please refrain from offering your opinions and advice.  My advice:  seek professional help.