Beyond Neck Pain: How Your Smartphone Is Affecting Your Heart, Eyes, and Nervous System
If you're reading this, chances are you've already felt some discomfort from your smartphone—maybe tension in your neck, headaches, or that nagging upper back pain. As your local chiropractor in St Peters, Old Mill Chiropractic sees an awful lot of tech-related issues, and the newest research reveals 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
What surprises most of our chiropractic patients: forward head posture affects far more than just your neck. Recent studies show it's directly affecting your autonomic nervous system—the part controlling your heart rate, blood pressure, and stress response. (1) When your head moved forward into "text neck" position, it creates compression in your upper cervical spine, interfering with proper nerve signaling and activating your sympathetic nervous system. Your body remains in fight-or-flight mode, raising heart rate and blood pressure—all from looking down at your phone. Crazy to think about, but you are not alone!
THE SPINE-EYE CONNECTION YOU NEED TO KNOW
Researchers are now documenting "cervical oculopathy"—where neck misalignments cause 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 compress blood vessels and nerves supplying your eyes. Studies found that patients with chronic, unexplained visual symptoms often present with significant cervical spine issues and compressed jugular veins, impairing drainage from the brain and eyes.
WHY DIFFICULT TASKS MAKE EVERYTHING WORSE
Research measuring actual neck angles during smartphone use found that complex tasks worsen your posture. (3) Your neck bends over 30 degrees while typing on your phone, versus roughly 26 degrees when you're just watching content. People who utilize phones more heavily develop even more extreme flexion angles—a downward spiral impacting spinal alignment with every text.
THE REAL RISK FACTORS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU
Here's the twist: a year-long study found that cervical flexion angle during smartphone use wasn't the primary predictor of neck pain. (4) Instead, poor sleep quality and lack of physical activity were the real culprits triggering neck pain. The lifestyle factors around heavy phone use—disrupted sleep and sedentary behavior—may instigate even more musculoskeletal damage.
CONTACT Old Mill Chiropractic FOR YOUR CHIROPRACTIC ACTION PLAN
This research reinforces our healthcare approach at Old Mill Chiropractic. Regular chiropractic adjustments maintain proper cervical alignment and nervous system function, but you also need quality 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 branch out. Working to keep proper spinal alignment with 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.
Schedule your St Peters chiropractic appointment today.
