[By Mandy L. Krause, MSPT, Physical Therapist, Certified LSVT BIG Clinician, St. Peter’s Health Partners Patient Therapies]
Whether at work, at school, or in our free time – and sometimes all three – most everyone these days is logging some serious screen time. Working on the laptop, watching shows on the tablet, or the endless texting and scrolling on a smartphone – all that technology use is leading to an increase in cases of what is commonly referred to as “text neck” or “tech neck.”
The issue ultimately is poor posture and awful ergonomics. So, what is good posture? And what do you do to alleviate the pain when you’ve neglected it?
For proper posture, your head should be centered directly over your spine, with your chin tucked in and shoulders back. In that position, your head doesn’t have to fight gravity all day, which helps prevent muscle strain, overuse disorders, and back and muscular pain.
One of the muscles most likely to cause tension and pain is the trapezius muscle which reaches from your neck, across your shoulders and most of the way down the back. The trapezius muscle can become tight as a result of work, hours spent staring downward while texting and scrolling, and even emotional tension. And the result is a pain in the neck.
You can massage your own trapezius muscle. Start by crossing one arm in front of your body so that you can place your palm on top of the shoulder. Beginning at the base of the neck, knead the muscles deep enough to make a difference without inducing pain.
If neck pain is caused by sore muscles, it will usually respond to rest and some heat or massage therapy. More serious problems are usually related to discs, bones and joints in the neck that can be injured by trauma or degenerate as a result of aging.
Physical therapists are trained to evaluate and treat these problems, and may use modalities such as heat, ice or electrical stimulation to help decrease the pain. In addition, they may use manual therapy techniques, such as joint mobilization and instruction in posture and exercise, to improve posture and overall function.
Physical medicine and outpatient rehabilitation services from St. Peter’s Health Partners help you move through life on your terms. We are one of the Capital Region’s most trusted programs, with a broad range of services at locations throughout the Capital Region that relieve pain and make the most of your abilities.
Whether you’ve experienced an injury, are recovering from surgery, or learning new methods to perform daily tasks when a medical condition limits your physical or mental abilities, St. Peter’s is here for you. Our knowledgeable therapists take time to get to know you and personalize your care, so you are more likely to achieve your goals.
The Rehabilitation Services program, located at Samaritan Hospital – Albany Memorial Campus (600 Northern Blvd. in Albany), is a part of St. Peter’s Health Partners Patient Therapies. It is a unique outpatient program dedicated to providing individualized comprehensive care for patients recovering from surgery, injury and medical illness.
Our specialized staff of occupational, speech, physical and certified hand therapists are dedicated in helping you achieve your goals for recovery. For more information, call 518-471-3195 or visit https://www.sphp.com/location/rehabilitation-services-albany-memorial-campus.
