You might be surprised to hear a cervical disc neurosurgeon Plano TX ask you how many hours per day you stare at your smartphone, but did you know that your smartphone may be causing back pain? While bad exercise and stress-inducing daily habits can contribute to the modern rise in back pain, your smartphone usage may be adding to the daily amount of stress on your spine.

Cervical Disc Neurosurgeon: Straining Adds Weight

Dailymail.co.uk quotes Dr. James Carter as saying that our heads normally weigh between 10lb and 12lb, but the pressure on our neck can increase to  27lbs when we hold our head at a 15-degree angle. That number increases to 60lb at a 60 degree angle. In other words, every time you push your chin down into your chest to look on your phone as it rests on your desk, you damage your spine a little bit more. That’s enough to make most people think twice about hunching forward towards their computer screen or slouching over a smartphone.

Cervical Disc Surgery Plano TX Is On the Rise, Just Like in the Rest of the World

“Fifty per cent of Indian children and teenagers are prone to spinal problems due to the high uses of mobile phones,” says India.com. India should know; this country has the world’s second-largest number of phone-wielding citizens. The phenomenon of children and teenagers experiencing technology-induced back pain is often referred to as “text neck.”

With 64 out of every 100 hundred Americans now using a smartphone according to Pew Research, it’s about time attention was drawn to the health problems associated with modern technology. Something as simple as arching your neck forward to see your phone screen stretches your spine and brain stem, which can affect your blood pressure among other things.

Cervical Disc Neurosurgeon: Your Spine Can Shift

Your spine can actually shift---up to 4 cm---due to repeated head tilting, according to Dr. Carter. That’s the kind of behavior that lands you in surgery with a cervical disc neurosurgeon Plano TX.

In addition to back pain, other issues have been directly related to smartphone use, including chronic headaches, depression, and anxiety. For your health’s sake, use good posture at the keyboard rather than craning towards the computer, and don’t bend your head down to spend hours on your phone.

If you or someone you know is having problems with headaches, back pain, stiffness, or even depression associated with spinal health, we can help. Speak with an expert cervical disc neurosurgeon Plano TX at Brain and Spine Center of Texas at (972) 943-9779 to learn more about your options for healthy, pain-free living.