Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2024

42 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

Tech Neck and the Spine The adverse effects of poor posture associated with desk bound occupations and handheld computer devices, sets the stage for a multitude of issues.

Normal Spine

Kyphosis

Lordosis

Vulnerable Demographics People aged 13–27 are particularly at risk, spending extended hours in a hunched-over position as devices become integral to daily life. The implications are just starting to come to light with doctors witnessing a surge in the past decade of younger and younger patients displaying signs of questionable neck pain and spinal wear and tear. Conditions like premature cervical disc degeneration, bone spurs, painful muscle spasms and arthritis—conditions traditionally associated with older adults—are now becoming the unsettling norm among young tech users globally. 19 Over time, without adjustments to daily activities, chronic muscle strain and sprains may manifest, resembling symptoms similar to whiplash. As we have seen, this progression could potentially pave the way for the development of bony abnormalities and, in rare cases, even organ dysfunction and other chronic diseases. Teenagers are also predisposed to increased loneliness and depression, and they are very prone to comparing themselves to their peers while using

social media (especially true for females). 20 Remember that in general, children and

adolescents do not have the same level of self awareness as most adults, and will become easily absorbed in an activity like texting or gaming without the rational, mindful self-reminder to take a break. Even as adults, we sometimes do this as we get into workflows and our rational mind takes a backseat to our projects, studies or activities. As adults, we have a fully formed and functioning prefrontal cortex and related neural networks that help us govern ourselves mindfully. However, throughout childhood and adolescence, the “executive control center” of the brain is still learning, pruning and becoming refined, not interference with melatonin and sleep patterns, daytime sleepiness has also been widely reported in youth. 21 Educational institutions adopting digital platforms now expose students to prolonged screen time, unintentionally contributing to TNS, and academic performance is now suffering. 22 reaching full maturation until age 25. Because of late-night tech usage and

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