Neck pain and strain has been linked to excessive use of technology. Mobile devices have become ubiquitous, with most people owning more than one and constantly using them. Just look around you – we have are a society of ‘hunched’ people, particularly our teenagers.

When you’re looking forward in a downward position at a handheld device (video game, cell phone, e-reader, MP3 player, etc.), there is excessive strain on the spine. Your body glides too easily into a poor postural position involving your neck, head and shoulders.

This can result in neck pain, arm pain, shoulder pain, headaches, and even compromised breathing. Typical symptoms include shoulder ache, neck ache, tingling and numbness, which can extend down the arms – sometimes right down to the fingers. This forward-head position is a real issue for our mobile-obsessed society.

Your head weighs about 10 pounds when it’s in a neutral position (ears over the shoulders). For each inch the head is tilted forward, pressure on the spine doubles. Therefore, if you’re looking down at your smartphone, e-reader or iPad in your lap, your neck has to support 20 or 30 pounds! Now you can imagine the tremendous strain on your spine, and in addition to neck pain, it can cause misalignment of the discs and cervical vertebrae.