Beyond Neck Pain: How Your Smartphone Is Affecting Your Heart, Eyes, and Nervous System
Your smartphone has become central to daily life, but the physical toll it's taking on your body most likely goes far beyond the occasional stiff neck. As your local chiropractor in Augusta, Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic sees an epidemic of tech-related issues, and the latest research shows the issue runs deeper than you might think. It's not always "just' neck pain. Our gentle spinal manipulation treatment can help!
YOUR SPINE AFFECTS YOUR HEART
You might be shocked to learn that 'text neck' is doing more damage than causing neck pain alone. Recent studies show it's directly impacting your autonomic nervous system—the part managing your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress response. (1) When your head shifts forward into "text neck" position, it sets up compression in your upper cervical spine, hampering proper nerve signaling and triggering your sympathetic nervous system. Your body stays in fight-or-flight mode, increasing heart rate and blood pressure—all from looking down at your phone. Crazy to think about, but you are not the only one feeling these effects!
THE SPINE-EYE CONNECTION YOU NEED TO KNOW
Researchers are now describing "cervical oculopathy"—where neck misalignments trigger vision problems ranging from blurry vision, eye pain, dry eyes, to even contributing conditions like glaucoma. (2) When your cervical spine is misaligned, it can interfere with the blood supply and nerve pathways reaching your eyes. Studies found that patients with chronic, unexplained visual symptoms often show significant cervical spine issues and compressed jugular veins, affecting drainage from the brain and eyes.
WHY DIFFICULT TASKS MAKE EVERYTHING WORSE
Scientists measuring neck positioning found a clear pattern: complex activities like typing force your head further forward. (3) When you type, your head drops more than 30 degrees forward; watching videos keeps it closer to 26 degrees. People who utilize phones more heavily develop even more intense flexion angles—a downward spiral impacting spinal alignment with every text.
THE REAL RISK FACTORS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU
Surprisingly, a year-long study showed that how much you bend your neck while using your phone wasn't the main cause of neck pain. (4) Instead, poor sleep quality and lack of physical activity were the real culprits instigating neck pain. The lifestyle factors that come with heavy phone use—disrupted sleep and sedentary behavior—may cause even more musculoskeletal damage.
CONTACT Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic FOR YOUR CHIROPRACTIC ACTION PLAN
This research reinforces our healthcare approach at Lombardy Chiropractic Clinic. Regular chiropractic adjustments maintain proper cervical alignment and nervous system function, but you also need good sleep and physical activity. When using your phone, bring it closer to eye level, especially when typing, and take frequent breaks.
Your nervous system controls everything. When smartphone habits compromise your spinal health, the effects ripple outward. Keeping proper spinal alignment through regular chiropractic care may well protect your heart, eyes, sleep, and overall nervous system function for the long term.
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he talks about the interaction of the nervous system and vagus nerve and the role The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management may have for chiropractic patients seeking pain relief.
Make your Augusta chiropractic appointment today.
