Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2024

Summer 2024 • 41

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Now consider these alarming statistics: • An estimated 700 to 1,400 additional hours of stress are imposed on the cervical spine annually due to poor smartphone posture. 17 • Neck flexion can average anywhere between 30 to 40 degrees (or more) while texting. 18 This places an excessive load on the cervical muscles, which are not meant to sustain the weight of the head and spine in these positions for prolonged periods of time. These statistics underscore the substantial impact of poor smartphone posture on the health of every demographic that owns a device. Risk Factors Across Demographics The extent of our device usage varies across demographics. As we discussed earlier, adults

spend an average of roughly five hours a day on mobile devices, and that is in addition to their computer or laptop use. More alarming trends emerge in younger demographics, because individuals from their mid-20s down to even small children (think about toddlers with their own smartphones or iPads) may spend up to eight hours per day using various types of mobile technology. Young people growing up amidst advanced technology often learn to use devices with a compromised posture, which can have a considerable impact on their bodies since their spines and organs and hormonal systems are still developing and stabilizing.

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