Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Temple Run Leads to Text Neck

Oh my goodness, I think I have figured out what has caused my neck to hurt all weekend,  "Text Neck".  Only, I don't think that I got "text neck" from actually texting.  What is text neck, you ask?  Well, text neck is caused from frequent texting or looking down at your mobile device for extended periods of time. Apparently this is something that is happening to a lot of people and becoming some what of a global epidemic. The repetitive stress injury caused by flexing of the neck for prolonged periods can result in tightness across the shoulder. Headaches and neck soreness may occur and this could even result in permanent arthritic damage if left untreated. WOW!!! I do a lot of texting, but I do not think that texting itself is what is causing my sore/stiff neck.

THIS is the culprit...
Temple Run
Hi, my name is Tisha and I am addicted to Temple Run!  There, I said it.  It is very easy to distract me from anything from my favorite television show, to screaming children when I have my cell phone in hand and a fully charged battery.  This is a free App available at the Itunes Store (and I am NOT being paid for this post!!) 

I woke up Saturday morning to a terrible pain in between my shoulder blades and in my lower neck and I could not shake it all day.  I thought maybe I had just slept on it wrong, but upon further research, I really do think it could be caused from trying to beat my high score in Temple Run.  (Which by the way, I did!!)

If you have suffered from this crazy epidemic, my advice to you would be the same advice I gave myself...STEP AWAY FROM THE GADGET!!!

In all seriousness, my 9 year old has an Ipod, my 3 year old has a leap pad touch, so I think this is something that we need to educate ourselves about.  There's lots of info. on the web about text neck, so maybe it's time to do a little surfing yourself, especially if you or anyone in your family suffer from headaches, neck, or shoulder pain.  If you see a chiropractor, this might be something to bring up during your next visit. 
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8 comments, add yours here:

Anonymous said...

I have never heard of that! How strange!

Crazy Working Mom said...

That is what I thought, Jamie. But the research makes sense!! :/ It's a bit scary.

Kathy Lowrey said...

Why step away? Just raise the screen to eye level ;-)

Lita said...

Actually I have an app on my phone and my kids iPods to help remind them to take breaks and show them exercises to do. It is called "AcheBreak". Kind of fun silly characters that show exercises. www.AcheBreak.com

Memoirs of Me & Mine said...

That's new to me!

http://www.memoirsofmeandmine.com/

DLF said...

If you have an Android download the TEXT NECK APP. It teaches you to hold the device with proper posture WHILE you play Temple Run. You do not have to take breaks!!!

Crazy Working Mom said...

Thanks for the advice, Kathy! ;)

Crazy Working Mom said...

I don't have an Android. I have an Iphone. I did read that there were apps to help you do exercise, realize the proper alignment of your neck while using the device, etc. Might check into it. My neck seems to be fine now, though. :D Thanks for the comments!