Tech Neck Is Real—and It’s Probably Why Your Neck Hurts

If you’re reading this on your phone or hunched over a laptop, take a quick second and check your posture…

Is your head leaning forward? Shoulders rounded? Chin tucked?

If so, welcome to the club.

Most of us are spending 7+ hours a day on phones, computers, or other screens—and our necks are paying the price.

The result? A sharp rise in people searching for neck pain treatment in St Charles, all dealing with the same issue: tech neck.

Bottom Line:

Tech neck (also called “text neck”) is what happens when your head creeps forward and your neck stays in a flexed position—usually while you’re scrolling or typing.

It might not seem like a big deal at first, but even just a 15-degree forward tilt triples the stress on your neck.

At 60 degrees? That pressure is up to 10 times heavier than it should be.

And over time, that added strain leads to stiffness, tension, and often—pain that lingers or returns daily.

If you’ve been noticing more neck pain or headaches, your screen time may be the culprit.

Why it Matters:

Let’s put it into perspective:

• Your head weighs about 10 pounds.
• That weight balances on your neck every single day.
• Your neck contains 7 small bones and over 20 muscles working together to support it.

Even when everything is lined up, that’s a lot of coordination. When your posture is off, those muscles get overworked and inflamed fast.

That’s why we’ve seen a major increase in tech neck and pain symptoms in recent years—especially since so many people now work from home or spend more time on devices.

The Tech Neck Checklist

Here’s what to watch for—and how to start making improvements:

Signs of Tech Neck

• Ears forward of your shoulders
• Chin tucked down toward your chest
• Rounded upper back or shoulder slump
• Frequent headaches or neck tension

What to Do About It

• Take breaks every 15 minutes to look up and stretch
• Raise your screens closer to eye level
• Set posture reminders on your phone
• Do simple neck and shoulder mobility exercises
• Get a spinal checkup to restore joint function

Next Steps:

The good news is that tech neck and pain can absolutely be corrected—without giving up your phone or laptop.

You just need the right support and some simple daily habits.

That’s where we come in.

As your go-to team for neck pain treatment in St Charles, we’ll help evaluate your posture, restore proper movement through adjustments, and teach you at-home stretches to reduce tension and prevent it from coming back.

Your devices aren’t going anywhere—so let’s make sure your body can keep up.

Call today to schedule your consultation. Your neck will thank you.

Reference(s):

"Tech Neck" Taking a Toll on Posture. Columbia Spine. 2018. How to Prevent Neck and Back Pain Working From Home. Health Matters. 2020.