Help for Text Neck in Beaufort
From daily doomscrolling to late-night screen time, the everyday habit of looking down at your phone can quietly change the way your neck is built to work. Text neck is one of the most common posture patterns we see at Optimal Health Chiropractic, and it doesn’t only affect teens. It impacts office workers, busy parents, students, and retirees.
As phones have become mini personal computers (for emails, maps, news, and everything in between), they’re here to stay. The issue isn’t the device. It’s the head-down position we can stay in for hours at a time.
What Exactly Is Text Neck?
Your neck has a natural arc designed to support the weight of your head. When your head drifts forward that balance changes. Your neck and upper back have to work much harder to resist the forces of gravity.
As Dr. McKelvey notes, over time, this can change the way the neck is shaped/functions and will cause the normal arc in your neck to be decreased or even, in some cases, reversed.
Common Signs You Might Notice
Text neck doesn’t always start as sharp pain. Often, it begins as low-grade tension that slowly becomes your “normal.” You might notice:
- Neck or upper back stiffness, especially after screen time
- Tightness between the shoulder blades
- Pain at the base of the skull
- Frequent tension-style headaches
- Reduced range of motion when turning your head
- Occasional tingling or numbness into the hands in some cases
A quick and simple self-check can be helpful. In a balanced standing posture from the side, your ear should sit roughly in line with your shoulder. If your head sits forward of your body most of the day, your neck is likely under constant strain.
It’s Not Just Phones
Yes, phones are a big contributor, but they’re not the only cause. Any activity that keeps your head tipped forward for long periods can create the same pattern.
Dr. McKelvey often sees it in people who do detailed hobbies. “Knitters, quilters, sewers, and needlepoint enthusiasts can have some of the worst tech-neck patterns I see,” he notes, “because the posture is so sustained.” Reading, crafting, painting, and certain desk setups can all contribute as well.
Why Text Neck Can Become a Bigger Problem
When your head stays forward, the muscles in your neck and upper back constantly have to work against gravity. Over time, this can lead to tight bands of muscle and trigger points, often felt as knots through the upper back or under the skull.
That tension is one reason headaches can become part of the picture. And when posture changes begin to stress the neck’s joints and discs, the issue can become more persistent. The earlier you catch it, however, the easier it usually is to change the pattern.
How We Assess Text Neck at Optimal Health Chiropractic
Text neck develops gradually, so it’s worth getting clear on what’s actually happening. We’ll typically perform a detailed postural analysis, which might include x-rays, look at your posture from the side, check your neck ranges of motion, and identify areas of muscle tightness or imbalance. That helps us understand whether forward head posture is a key driver and which plan may be most helpful.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
The good news is that posture patterns can change. But since ligaments and spinal structures adapt over time, improvement tends to be a process rather than a quick fix.
Depending on what we find, care may include chiropractic adjustments to support joint motion, soft tissue strategies to reduce muscle tension, and posture-focused exercises designed to encourage better alignment. In some cases, traction or targeted rehab approaches may also be used to support healthier neck positioning.
Simple Ways to Reduce Text Neck Starting Today
You don’t need perfect posture all day. You just want fewer long stretches in a forward-head position. A few simple habits can help:
- Bring screens closer to eye level when you can
- Take short posture breaks throughout the day
- Set up hobbies so you’re not curled forward for long periods
- Build upper back and neck endurance with simple exercises
- Reset your posture often by gently aligning your ears over your shoulders
Support Your Neck and Posture, Starting Today
If you think text neck may be contributing to headaches, stiffness, or ongoing tension, we’d love to help you get to the root of it and implement the changes that support lasting relief.
Book an appointment at Optimal Health Chiropractic and let’s take a look at your posture and neck together—then map out a few practical changes you can actually stick with.
