Skip to main content
Close Close

Congratulations
You're on the list.

Make sure to check your spam folder so that our emails are always delivered into your inbox.
xo, Kourt
Give your inbox
and your life

the Poosh it needs.
By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Free Shipping on All Domestic Orders.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KKB
Poosh
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
This Creamy Lemon Olive Oil Elixir Is the Cure for Water Retention
This Creamy Lemon Olive Oil Elixir Is the Cure for Water Retention
Do These 3 Things for Your Gut and Get the Best Sleep Ever
Do These 3 Things for Your Gut and Get the Best Sleep Ever
3 Reasons to Stop Saying “I’m Dead” and What to Say Instead, According to a Psychologist
3 Reasons to Stop Saying “I’m Dead” and What to Say Instead, According to a Psychologist
This Multitasking SPF Completes My Lazy-Girl Morning Routine
This Multitasking SPF Completes My Lazy-Girl Morning Routine
Are all Calories Created Equal?
Are all Calories Created Equal?
Can a Friend be Your Soulmate?
Can a Friend be Your Soulmate?
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
This Multitasking SPF Completes My Lazy-Girl Morning Routine
This Multitasking SPF Completes My Lazy-Girl Morning Routine
Clean-ish SPFs You’ll Actually Enjoy Wearing
Clean-ish SPFs You’ll Actually Enjoy Wearing
Embracing My Inner Romantic Is the Bravest Thing I’ve Ever Done
Embracing My Inner Romantic Is the Bravest Thing I’ve Ever Done
How This Serum Changed My Morning/Makeup Routine
How This Serum Changed My Morning/Makeup Routine
Quiet Luxury Isn’t a Look—It’s a Whole Mood 
Quiet Luxury Isn’t a Look—It’s a Whole Mood 
Steph Shep Shares Her Fave AAPI Brands To Know and Love
Steph Shep Shares Her Fave AAPI Brands To Know and Love
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
This Creamy Lemon Olive Oil Elixir Is the Cure for Water Retention
This Creamy Lemon Olive Oil Elixir Is the Cure for Water Retention
These Hacks Make Small-Space Living SO Much Easier 
These Hacks Make Small-Space Living SO Much Easier 
Our 7 Most-Shared Recipes 
Our 7 Most-Shared Recipes 
Under $50: Outdoor Entertaining Essentials
Under $50: Outdoor Entertaining Essentials
Kourt’s Coconut Pudding Recipe
Kourt’s Coconut Pudding Recipe
The New Matcha Mule 818 Cocktail Recipe
The New Matcha Mule 818 Cocktail Recipe
  • family
  • kourtney
An Exclusive Peek at Khloé Kardashian’s Blooming Garden Trellis
An Exclusive Peek at Khloé Kardashian’s Blooming Garden Trellis
Why Kourt is Obsessed With Nettle Tea
Why Kourt is Obsessed With Nettle Tea
Under $20: Clever Fridge Organizers Inspired by Kris Jenner
Under $20: Clever Fridge Organizers Inspired by Kris Jenner
The Asian-Inspired Chickpea Salad Kourt Can’t Stop Reaching For 
The Asian-Inspired Chickpea Salad Kourt Can’t Stop Reaching For 
BTS: Kourt and Travis’ Personal Photos from Their Portofino Wedding
BTS: Kourt and Travis’ Personal Photos from Their Portofino Wedding
3 Salads Kourt is Eating on Rotation Right Now
3 Salads Kourt is Eating on Rotation Right Now
What are you looking for?

Menu

  • Shop
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • KKB
    • family
    • kourtney
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
body

How to  REVERSE a Tech Neck Hump 

By Poosh
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @rosiehw
@rosiehw

TIL: looking down at your phone when texting/scrolling through TikTok places about 60 pounds of force on your neck—that’s a lot, especially when you consider that good posture only places about 10 pounds of force on the neck. All this extra strain can lead to tech neck (sometimes called text neck). It isn’t an official medical diagnosis, but refers to neck problems related to technology use. And given that cell phones and tech are everywhere, obvs this is a condition that’s pretty common. So we tapped orthopedic surgeon Brian A Cole, M.D., FAAOS, to share tips for getting rid of tech neck.

“Cell phones and various mobile devices are used constantly in our daily lives,” Dr. Cole says. “Unfortunately, most of us do not use an ergonomic setup and repetitively flex our necks.” This places increased stress on the neck musculature, which can cause pain in the neck, upper back, and shoulder, as well as other effects like rounded shoulders, reduced mobility, and headaches.

“The neck is a stalk that holds up our head, which weighs about 15 lbs, the size of a bowling ball,” Dr. Cole explains. “When we stand up straight, the weight of the head falls directly over the neck. The neck muscles perform a balancing act and contract just enough to maintain the position of the neck.” This places about 10-12 pounds of force on the neck.

“However, when we flex the neck, the demands of these muscles increase substantially. In fact, for every ten degrees, the force on the neck increases 10 pounds,” Dr. Cole says. “When the neck is fully flexed, the typical position while texting, the force on the neck is approximately 60 pounds.” Um, yeah, no wonder that causes problems.

The good news: “If there are no associated symptoms such as numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the extremities, text neck can be easily treated,” Dr. Cole says, adding that NSAIDS such as ibuprofen in combination with acetaminophen can be helpful to alleviate pain.

“Once the pain has been alleviated, the next step is to establish your range of motion,” Dr. Cole says. “Exercises such as: rolling the head in a circular motion, flexion/extension, and side bending will help to loosen up the muscles. The muscles in the neck work hand in hand with the muscles of the shoulder. It is important to incorporate shoulder exercises into your routine. Shoulder elevation and bringing the shoulder as far back and as far forward is recommended. You can combine these in a circular motion. Chin tuck exercises are also helpful.”

Dr. Cole says that around half of patients with tech neck resolve their pain within two weeks, and 90 percent resolve it within six to eight weeks. “Once you are better, it is important to think about prevention,” he says. “You can start with your workspace. While working with your computer or mobile device, it is important to elevate these to eye level. This will translate into less neck flexion and avoidance of undue stress on the neck.”

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the interviewee only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

You may also like...

Go to article The Benefits of Eating Seasonally
HEALTH + WELLNESS

The Benefits of Eating Seasonally

Go to article Do You Know Your Actual Body Type?
body

Do You Know Your Actual Body Type?

Related Articles

Goes to article Do These 3 Things for Your Gut and Get the Best Sleep Ever
health

Do These 3 Things for Your Gut and Get the Best Sleep Ever

Goes to article 3 Reasons to Stop Saying “I’m Dead” and What to Say Instead, According to a Psychologist
soul

3 Reasons to Stop Saying “I’m Dead” and What to Say Instead, According to a Psychologist

Goes to article Did You Know Bitter Foods Help Jumpstart Digestion?
body

Did You Know Bitter Foods Help Jumpstart Digestion?

Goes to article How To Fire Up Those Deep Abs
fitness

How To Fire Up Those Deep Abs

Goes to article 5 Ways to Hack Your Bedtime Routine for Better Sleep
Hacks

5 Ways to Hack Your Bedtime Routine for Better Sleep

Goes to article DYK: Dopamine Is Not Actually the “Pleasure Chemical”
body

DYK: Dopamine Is Not Actually the “Pleasure Chemical”

Goes to article Feeling Low, Bloated, or Sluggish? Look at Your Tongue
body

Feeling Low, Bloated, or Sluggish? Look at Your Tongue

Goes to article What To Eat When You’re Breaking Out
health

What To Eat When You’re Breaking Out

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Allyant for Accessibility
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved